ABSTRACT
Background and objective: Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive ingredients found in tea, fruits, and vegetables with multiple health benefits. This study aimed to identify and quantify the detectable phytochemicals in selected products of chamomile herbal tea (CHT) using the Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) approach. Methods: Selected CHTs were coded as CHT-A to CHT-G. CHT-F was crude and unbranded however, CHT-G was an oil extract of CHT. Ethanolic extracts of CHT were analysed and quantified for their phytoconstituents using the GC-FID method. Results: Phytochemicals detected in their order of abundance in most CHTs were flavonoids > glycosides > alkaloids > steroids > anti-nutrients > saponins > tannins > resveratrol. The flavonoids comprised rutin > flavanone > flavone > anthocyanin > epicatechin > kaempferol > naringenin > proanthocyanin, etc. where the glycosides found in each CHT involved cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides. Alkaloids were highest in CHT-A as ribalinidine > spartein > lunamarin with ephedrine detected just in CHT-B, CHT-C, CHT-D, CHT-E and CHT-F. Saponins occurred in four samples mainly as sapogenin. Anti-nutrients were detected in each CHT and included the phytates and oxalates. Resveratrol was detected in three samples only. Conclusion: Most of the CHTs evaluated showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, anti-nutrients, saponins, tannins and resveratrol.