Research On Accumulation Of Alkaloid In Kucha (Camellia Kucha(Chang Et Wang)Chang)

Kucha, Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang is a special wild tea resource, which leaves contain theacrine as well as low caffeine and high tea polyphenols. The mechanism of theacrine accumulation in Kucha is still not clear. It is very important to study the accumulation characters of theacrine for making clear the mechanism of low caffeine.The genetic distances between the10individuals of Kucha were studied using RAPD molecular markers. All Kucha individuals could be divided into4groups:Group1is K42; Group2contains K016and’Fudingdabaicha’; Group3contains K015, K017, K018, and K011; K010, K008, K004and K002are in Group4.The contents of purine alkaloids, tea polyphenols, total catechins and amino acids in Kucha leaves were analysized. Kucha contained theacrine more than1.75%dried weight, and theacrine was always companied with theobromine from0.02%to1.1%as well as little caffeine. The contents of purine alkaloids was highest in last May and then decrease. Tea polyphenols and total catechins were highest in last May and lowest in last March. Endogenous levels of amino acids were1%-2%. Among all the Kucha individuals, K015has great potential to cultivate into low caffeine tea. Whereas, K011and K008are good materials for theacrine study. The expression of the two key enzymes gene, theobromine synthase gene and caffeine synthase gene, in theacrine biosynthesis pathway showed certain correlation with the contents of theacrine.Propagation of cuttage is a good method for Kucha introduction. The survival rate of cutting seedlings transplantation is high under scientifical manages.