# TPP Detection - Total Polyphenols in 15 Seconds

> Total polyphenol measurement in 15 seconds at LKR 15. Replaces the 2-day, LKR 6,000 lab test. ISO 3720 compliant per lot.

- Canonical URL: https://spectrify.ai/solutions/tpp-detection

**Your TPP Score Already Factors Into Your Auction Price. Now You Can See It in 15 Seconds.**

Replace a 2-day, LKR 6,000 lab test with an instant reading. Document ISO 3720 compliance per lot - not just per category.

_TRI Validation in Progress_

- **15 sec**: Per reading
- **LKR 15**: vs LKR 6,000 lab test
- **R² > 0.93**: Cross-validation accuracy
- **2 days → 15s**: Turnaround time

## Why It Matters

**TPP is the strongest single predictor of premium pricing at Colombo.**

ISO 3720 sets the minimum total polyphenol content for Ceylon Tea at 9%. But premium black tea - the grades that command better prices at Colombo - typically targets 17–21% TPP. The difference between a lot at 13% and a lot at 19% is not just quality. It is negotiating position.

Exporters who can document TPP content per lot have a defensible quality argument with EU and Japanese buyers, who increasingly demand lot-level proof rather than category-level assurance. The 2-day lab test made this impractical at scale. SpectrifyAI makes it standard.

| Method | Cost | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Traditional lab test | LKR 6,000 per sample | 2 days |
| SpectrifyAI TPP | LKR 15 per test | 15 seconds |

## What Changes at Scale

**When every lot has a TPP score, new conversations become possible.**

- **Per-lot documentation**: "Our lots averaged 19.2% TPP last quarter" is a different conversation than "we meet ISO 3720 minimums." Show premium consistency across a season.
- **Blend optimisation**: Identify which lots to blend to hit a target TPP range. Reduce waste from off-spec blends and adjust before the lot leaves the factory.
- **Buyer audit readiness**: When a buyer asks for lot-level quality documentation, pull the TPP dashboard. Every scan is linked to lot, time, and operator - automatically.

## How It Works

**From dry powder to TPP percentage in 15 seconds.**

1. **Load dry powder**: Load a small amount of dry black tea powder into the sample cup. The same sample used for moisture can be used for TPP.
2. **NIR scan**: The spectrometer runs the PLS-R model against the calibration - calibrated against the Folin-Ciocalteu reference method. Result in 15 seconds.
3. **TPP% + lot record**: The TPP percentage is stored with lot ID, timestamp, and operator. Exportable alongside moisture and leaf grade in a single lot report.

## Technical Specification

**Measurement details**

| Specification | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Measurement method | NIR spectroscopy - PLS-R model |
| Scan duration | 15 seconds |
| Reference method | Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay |
| Cross-validation accuracy | R² > 0.93 on calibration set |
| Validation body | TRI validation in progress |
| Grade coverage | 35+ Ceylon tea grades |
| Output | % total polyphenols, auto-linked lot record |
| Export formats | PDF, CSV - combined with moisture & leaf grade |

## Also in the Platform

- [Moisture Detection](https://spectrify.ai/solutions/moisture-detection): TRI-validated NIR moisture in 15 seconds. The only validated meter in Sri Lanka. (TRI Validated, December 2025)
- [Leaf Grading](https://spectrify.ai/solutions/leaf-quality-grading): Consistent AI grading from any smartphone. No hardware required. (Seconds, per grade decision)
- [Traceability](https://spectrify.ai/solutions/traceability): Every reading linked to lot, time, and operator automatically. (Included, with all plans)

## See It in Action

[Watch a live demo of SpectrifyAI in the field.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqS4Vd871A4)

## Common Questions

### What is TPP and why does it matter for Ceylon Tea?

Total polyphenols (TPP) is the collective measure of all polyphenolic compounds in tea - catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins. ISO 3720 sets a minimum of 9% TPP for Ceylon Tea. Premium grades at the Colombo auction consistently hit 17–21%. TPP is the strongest single predictor of antioxidant quality, liquor colour, and - indirectly - auction price.

### How does NIR measure polyphenols?

The aromatic ring systems of polyphenolic compounds produce characteristic near-infrared absorption patterns. Our PLS-R model uses combined second-overtone C–H and O–H band interactions to quantify TPP across the NIR spectrum. The model was calibrated against the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method - the standard reference for TPP in tea - and achieves cross-validation R² > 0.93.

### When will TRI validation be complete?

We are currently coordinating with TRI on the validation timeline. Moisture detection received TRI validation in December 2025. TPP validation is in progress - this page is updated as soon as the certificate is received.

### What grades and tea types does the TPP model work on?

The model was calibrated on black tea samples spanning 35+ Ceylon tea grades sourced from multiple factories. It is specifically optimised for Sri Lankan black tea - the same grade coverage as the moisture model.

### Can I use this for ISO 3720 compliance documentation?

Yes, with one caveat. The NIR reading gives you a rapid, reliable TPP estimate that is consistent with the Folin-Ciocalteu reference method. For formal ISO 3720 compliance documentation, you would typically include the NIR result as a screening measure alongside periodic reference-method confirmations - the same approach used with moisture analyzers in certified facilities.

## Document Quality Per Lot. Starting Now.

Book a demo and see a live TPP reading on your sample. We'll walk through accuracy, workflow, and the validation timeline.

[Book a Demo](https://spectrify.ai/contact)