Citrus Pu-erh tea extract intake before or after lipolysis in simulated digestion reduces the release of free fatty acids

Citrus Pu-erh tea is a post-fermented tea that has both the flavor of citrus peel and the bioactive substances in tea, which may have many potential health activities. To investigate the effect of the intake citrus-Pu-erh tea before, with, and after meals on lipid digestion, the in vitro simulated digestion experiments in this study were conducted to elucidate the effects of citrus Pu-erh tea extracts (CPTE) intake timing on triglyceride (TG) lipolysis. The results showed that compared to simultaneous administration of CPTE and TG, CPTE intake before or after TG lipolysis decreased the released free fatty acids (FFA) by 8.87 ± 1.91% and 4.85 ± 1.13%. Further, the correlation analysis was carried on to search for the potential lipase inhibitors in CPTE, the result showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the content of total polyphenols (hesperidin and theabrownins) and the inhibition rate of released FFA. In vitro lipase inhibition assays indicated that the possible lipase inhibitors were hesperidin (IC₅₀ = 29.67 ± 2.83 μg/mL) and theabrownins (IC₅₀ = 22.16 ± 1.64 μg/mL). Moreover, CPTE intake before or after butter lipolysis increased the inhibition of released FFA by 7.70 ± 1.49% and 4.33 ± 1.18%. These results indicated that CPTE intake before or after meals may effectively reduce the digestion of fat in the small intestine, thereby alleviating the obesity problem that may be caused by excessive lipid absorption. These findings provide a healthier way of tea intake for individuals with obesity and those who are potentially obese.