Fig. 2.

Absorption of catechins versus time profiles after the oral administration of 4 types of Benifuuki green tea in rats i.g. BGP 2.86 μm: Benifuuki green tea powder with a mean particle size of 2.86 μm, BGP 18.6 μm: Benifuuki green tea powder 18.6 μm, BGP 76.1 μm: Benifuuki green tea powder 76.1 μm, BGI: Benifuuki green tea infusion. Absorption was calculated as follows; Absorption = (plasma concentration (μg/L)/1,000 * blood volume (rat weight(g) * 70/1,000))/(intake (mg) * 1,000) * 100). Each point represents the mean of five rats, and the cross-vertical bars represent the SD of the mean. All rats were given Benifuuki green tea within 1 min via gavage. a EGCG3”Me, b EGCG, c ECG, d EGC, e EC