“…Moreover, compared to the control, concentrations of both EGCG and ECG for tannase-treated green tea decreased with enzyme concentration until they were negligible, and this was accompanied by simultaneous increases in EGC and EC. This is because the ester bonds between gallic acid and EGC/EC in EGCG and ECG are cleaved by action of tannase, and produce gallic acid, EGC and EC (Lekha & Lonsane, 1997;Thomas & Murtagh, 1985). Approximately, 49% of the EGCG or ECG was hydrolyzed to EGC or EC after 20 min, respectively, if tannase (1.0 g/l) was used, with complete hydrolysis achieved at a concentration of 3.0 g/l.…”