Recent developments of green analytical techniques in analysis of tea's quality and nutrition

Public attention in tea quality and nutrition has increased significantly in recent decades, due in part to changes in consumer behavior and the gradually increasing consumption of tea. Demand for high quality tea products obviously requires high standards of quality assurance and process control; satisfying this demand in turn requires appropriate analytical tools for analysis of tea quality and nutrition. Green analytical tool, as an alternative to conventional analysis methods, has the desirable features in terms of operating speed, ease-of-use, minimal or no sample preparation, and avoidance of sample destruction. This paper reviews recent developed technologies, such as near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, electronic tongue (E-tongue), electronic nose (E-nose), computer vision, integration of multiple sensors, and latest research efforts to assess tea quality and nutrition. Particularly, we have reviewed some relevant data processing algorithms involved in each green analytical tool. Finally, we provided the technical challenges and outlook for the application of these green analytical technologies in analysis of tea quality and nutrition.