Secondary metabolites associated with exosome-like nanovesicles from green tea (Camellia sinensis) infusion and the origin of these nanovesicles.

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that plant-derived vesicles, i.e. exosome-like nanovesicles (ENs), have biological activities. We investigated the ingredients in green tea "Sencha" infusion-derived exosome-like nanovesicle (TIEN) fractions and found that gallic acid-type polyphenolics were detected disproportionately in these fractions. Furthermore, it is thought that plant-derived ENs arise mainly from vacuoles, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, etc. However, our findings suggest that TIENs may originate from chloroplasts.