Radical scavenging ability of black tea infusions with or without milk in combination with ocimum gratissimum

Tea is consumed in most parts of world for its aroma, flavour, taste and health promoting potential. Black tea can be consumed with/without the addition of milk, that can alter its antioxidant capacity. Moreover, in India black tea is commonly supplemented with medicinal herbs along with milk. One of the herbs used for supplementation is tulsi (Ocimum. Gratissimum (O. gratissimum)). This is for the first-time combined effect of tulsi (O. gratissimum) and milk on the antioxidant capability of black tea is undertaken. Black tea alone showed more antioxidant potential than O. gratissimum. The binary combination of black tea and O. gratissimum displayed additive effect, the antioxidant capacity enhanced for DPPH, LPO and ABTS as compared to black tea. The addition of milk to black tea, O. gratissimum or their combination lead to decrease in DPPH scavenging potential, but in case of LPO and ABTS test the activity was increased. Overall, ternary combination of black tea, O.gratissimum and milk demonstrated highest combined antioxidant capability in ABTS and LPO assay.