Abstract
Frequency-dependent electrical impedance spectroscopy has been used to characterize the intracellular and extracellular resistances as well as the capacitance of the cell wall and cell membranes of tea leaves in the rolling process.
The extracellular resistance of the tea leaves decreased due to the electrolyte in the intracellular space leakage into the extracellular space as a result of pressurization rather than the effect of evaporation from the surface area of tea leaves during the rolling process. When the process was prolonged, the extracellular and intracellular resistances attained the same level with assumption that equalization of water advanced in the intracellular and extracellular space. The capacitance of the cell wall and cell membranes decreased due to the change of the tissue structure by pressurization. These electrical behaviors were affected by the characteristics of the materials.
