Identification of chemical clusters discriminators of the roast degree in Arabica and Robusta coffee beans

To identify chemical parameters that might be used as discriminators, pH, soluble solids, caffeine, trigonelline, total caffeoylquinic acids, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, total dicaffeoylquinic acids, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, total feruloylquinic acids, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid were measured in Arabica and Robusta coffees submitted to three roasting levels. It was found that the fraction of soluble solids increased with roasting level, being slightly higher in Robusta roasted coffee. The contents of caffeine did not vary significantly between roasting degrees within the Arabica and Robusta samples, respectively, revealing a considerable stability during browning. The contents of trigonelline in Arabica and Robusta coffee decreased significantly with browning intensification. Overall, the levels of chlorogenic acids remained higher in Robusta roasted coffee beans but decreased sharply with roast increase. With roasting intensification, the ratio of total caffeoylquinic acids, total dicaffeoylquinic acids, and total feruloylquinic acids varied markedly in both species, with the proportion of total caffeoylquinic acids and total feruloylquinic acids increasing significantly, whereas the opposite occurred with dicaffeoylquinic acids. One can conclude, through the application of a multivariate analysis, that these chemicals form four clusters, constituting caffeine, trigonelline, total dicaffeoylquinic acids, and total feruloylquinic acids a relevant group for T₃ roasting level discrimination, in both coffee species. Additionally, detailing discriminators for roasting intensity in Arabica coffee might be caffeine, trigonelline, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, whereas in Robusta roasted coffee are trigonelline, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid.     

Physico-chemical,antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Indian monsooned coffee

Monsooned coffee is one of the world specialty coffees processed only in India. Monsooned Malabar (MM) and Monsooned Robusta (MR) are processed from native Arabica and Robusta coffees. Few of the parameters like moisture, density, pH, color, soluble solids, phenols, caffeine and chlorogenic acids differed significantly compared to the native coffees. Antioxidant activity of MM and MR were 62.23 and 69.53%, respectively. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the water-soluble extracts of MM and MR were investigated on food-borne pathogens by the well diffusion method and the results indicated maximum inhibition in E. coli followed by Yersinia and Listeria species. Fungal isolates were resistant to water-soluble extracts compared to bacteria. MR was more sensitive in inhibition of growth compared to MM. The chromatographical fractions other than caffeine, chlorogenic acid and theobromine, MC4 and MC5 exhibited antimicrobial activity. The fractions MC4 and MC5 were identified as quinic acid and spinasterol by LC–MS analyses. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the water-soluble extracts of monsooned coffee have been reported for the first time.     

The effect of processing on chlorogenic acid content of commercially available coffee

Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are a class of polyphenols noted for their health benefits. These compounds were identified and quantified, using LC–MS and HPLC, in commercially available coffees which varied in processing conditions. Analysis of ground and instant coffees indicated the presence of caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), feruloylquinic acids (FQA) and dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQA) in all 18 samples tested. 5-CQA was present at the highest levels, between 25 and 30% of total CGA; subsequent relative quantities were: 4-CQA > 3-CQA > 5-FQA > 4-FQA > diCQA (sum of 3,4, 3,5 and 4,5-diCQA). CGA content varied greatly (27.33–121.25 mg/200 ml coffee brew), driven primarily by the degree of coffee bean roasting (a high amount of roasting had a detrimental effect on CGA content). These results highlight the broad range of CGA quantity in commercial coffee and demonstrate that coffee choice is important in delivering optimum CGA intake to consumers.     

Chlorogenic acid and caffeine contents in various commercial brewed coffees

Twelve commercial brewed coffees (seven regular and five decaffeinated) were analyzed for chlorogenic acids (CGA) and caffeine by HPLC. Their pH and UV–Vis absorbances were also measured. The CGAs identified were three caffeolylquinic acids (3-CQA, 4-CQA, and 5-CQA), three feruloylquinic acids (3-FQA, 4-FQA, and 5-FQA), and three dicaffeoylquinic acids (3,4-diCQA, 3,5-diCQA, and 4,5-diCQA). The total CGAs ranged from 5.26 mg/g to 17.1 mg/g in regular coffees and from 2.10 mg/g to 16.1 mg/g in decaffeinated coffees. Among CGA, 5-CQA was present at the highest level, ranging from 2.13 mg/g to 7.06 mg/g coffee, and comprising 36–42% and 37–39% of the total CGA in the regular and decaffeinated coffees, respectively. CGA isomer contents were, in decreasing order, 5-CQA > 4-CQA > 3-CQA > 5-FQA > 4-FQA > 3-FQA > 3,4-diCQA > 4,5-diCQA, 3,5-diCQA. The caffeine content in regular and decaffeinated coffees ranged from 10.9 mg/g to 16.5 mg/g and from 0.34 mg/g to 0.47 mg/g, respectively. The pH of regular and decaffeinated coffees ranged from 4.95 to 5.99 and from 5.14 to 5.80, respectively. The relationship between the pH and the UV–Vis absorbance at 325 nm was moderately correlated (R² = 0.7829, p < 0.001, n = 12).     

Correlation between cup quality and chemical attributes of Brazilian coffee

Brazilian arabica coffee is classified for trading according to the quality of the beverage obtained after roasting and brewing. In the present study, Brazilian green and roasted coffee beans were investigated for possible correlations between cup quality and the levels of sucrose, caffeine, trigonelline and chlorogenic acids, determined by HPLC analysis. Trigonelline and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid levels in green and roasted coffee correlated strongly with high quality. To a lesser extent, caffeine levels were also associated with good quality. On the other hand, the amount of defective beans, the levels of caffeoylquinic acids (predominantly 5-caffeoyilquinic acid), feruloylquinic acids, and their oxidation products were associated with poor cup quality and with the Rio-off-flavor. The fact that similar correlations between cup quality and chemical attributes were observed in green and light roasted samples – the latter used for coffee cup classification – indicates that chemical analysis of green beans may be used as an additional tool for coffee quality evaluation.     

Influence of coffee/water ratio on the final quality of espresso coffee

Espresso coffee is a polyphasic beverage in which the physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics obviously depend on both the selection of ground roasted coffee and the technical conditions of the percolation process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the coffee/water ratio on the physico‐chemical and sensory quality of espresso coffee. Furthermore, the influence of botanical varieties (Arabica and Robusta) and the type of roast (conventional and torrefacto) on the selection of coffee/water ratio was studied. The relationship between pH and the perception of acidity intensity is discussed in relation to the influence of the coffee/water ratio, type of coffee and roast. The optimisation of other technical parameters in previous studies seemed to minimise the influence of an increase in the coffee/water ratio on the extraction of soluble and solid compounds. In fact, only some sensory attributes, such as bitterness, astringency and burnt, acrid and earthy/musty flavours were proposed as relevant to the selection of 6.5 g 40 mL^?1 or 7.5 g 40 mL^?1 in conventional roasted coffees (Arabica 100% and Robusta blend), and 6.5 g 40 mL^?1 in torrefacto roasted coffees. On the other hand, the addition of sugar during the roasting process in torrefacto roast coffees seemed to contribute to a higher generation of acids, melanoidins and other compounds by the Maillard reaction or caramelisation, which led us to select the lowest coffee/water ratio. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

ABTS radical scavenging capacity in green and roasted coffee extracts

The impact of two parameters (temperature and duration) on the radical scavenging capacity of individual compounds, and total extracts found in coffee was investigated. Phenolic coffee extracts of light (200 °C), medium (225 °C) and dark (235 °C) roasted coffees in a range of 0–30 min were analyzed by an on-line RP-HLPC-ABTS^•+ decolourization assay. This study revealed a general decrease of radical scavenging capacity related to native phenolic compounds. Processing coffee beans leads to generation of up to 10 new radical scavengers. The roasting process influences not only color and taste in coffees, but also the radical scavenging capacity of coffee as well. Phenolic content in roasted coffee and green coffee is very different. Six compounds identified as caffeoylquinic acids and dicaffeoylquinic acids, endowed with radical scavenging capacity were found in green coffee, whereas depending on the roasting process, roasted coffees can present up to 16 different radical scavengers. The compounds formed during the roast are most likely chlorogenic acids derivatives, of which 4 could be clearly identified as two feruloylquinic acids and two caffeoylquinides. In longer roasting durations, these molecules are subjected to auto-degradation, thus total radical scavenging capacity in coffee decline along with roasting (duration and temperature).     

Inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acids from green coffee beans and cinnamate derivatives on the activity of porcine pancreas α-amylase isozyme I

Nine kinds of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) account for 80% of the total CGA content in green coffee beans. They consist of three subgroups of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), feruloylquinic acids (FQAs), and dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs). We previously reported the inhibitory effects of 5-CQA on porcine pancreas α-amylase (PPA) isozymes, PPA-I and PPA-II. In this paper, we investigated the PPA-I inhibition by eight kinds of CGAs. The IC₅₀ values of CQAs, FQAs, and diCQAs against the PPA-I-catalysed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltoside were 0.08–0.23 mM, 1.09–2.55 mM, and 0.02–0.03 mM, respectively. All CQAs and FQAs and 3,5-diCQA showed mixed-type inhibition with binding to the enzyme–substrate complex (ES) being stronger than to the enzyme (E). 3,4-DiCQA and 4,5-diCQA showed mixed-type inhibition, but, conversely are suggested to bind to E stronger than ES.     

Characterization of Chlorogenic Acids in Coffee by Flow-Through Chronopotentiometry

In this study, flow-through chronopotentiometry (FTCP) has been developed as an electroanalytical method for characterization (identification and quantification) of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) in coffees. The characterization of CGAs in coffee was based on the electrochemical behavior of the main chlorogenic acid (CGAs) isomers presented in coffee (caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs), and feruloylquinic acids (FQAs)) and the spiking of CGAs standards in coffee samples. The FTCP study has shown that electrochemical properties of CGAs strongly depend on their chemical structure and electronic properties, particularly on the presence of electron-donating ?OH, ?CH═CH? and ?OCH₃ groups and strong electron-withdrawing ester (?COOR) group presented in their structure. The FTCP measurements of coffee samples show that their electrochemical behavior is very similar to that of CGAs. Therefore, FTCP can be used for characterization of CGAs and determination of their content in coffees. 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), prevailed CGAs in coffees, was used as a standard for quantification of total CGA content in coffee. The linear calibration curve of 5-CQA was observed within the concentration range of 5 to 100 μmol L^?1 with the limit of detection 5.7·10^?7 mol L^?1. The total CGA content of coffees has been expressed in 5-CGA equivalents per 100 g of coffee. It was shown that FTCP is a very sensitive, precise, and acurate method for determination of total CGA content in coffee. It should be noted that in presented investigation, FTCP was for the first time used for the study of electrochemical properties of polyphenolic antioxidants (including CGAs) and their characterization in some of the food samples.     

Peroxyl radical-scavenging activity of coffee brews

The ORAC_FL assay was used in non-automated mode to evaluate the specific peroxyl radical scavenging properties of the aqueous soluble components of green and roasted Arabica and Robusta coffee samples. A relationship between ORAC_FL and the concentration of CQAs (caffeoyl quinic acids) was found for the extracts from green coffee beans. Aqueous extracts from roasted coffee beans possessed equal or stronger scavenging power than that obtained for the green coffee beans extracts and the scavenging activity depended on the variety of coffee and the roasting conditions. Brews from Robusta coffee beans showed the highest ORAC_FL. The best scavenging properties for the brews from Arabica coffee beans were detected in samples prepared from coffee beans roasted under light conditions. The data indicate that, during roasting, a complex network of reactions takes place leading to the formation of a wide number of compounds possessing specific scavenging properties. Under mild roasting conditions, caffeoyl quinic acids appear to be the main components responsible for the free radical scavenging power of coffee brews. In contrast, Maillard reaction products may be the principal components with free radical scavenging activity in more severely (medium and dark) roasted coffees.     

Profiles of volatile compounds and sensory analysis of three blends of coffee: influence of different proportions of Arabica and Robusta and influence of roasting coffee with sugar

One hundred and forty‐six volatile compounds were identified and quantified using a static headspace sampler in three blends of coffee: Arabica/Robusta 80:20 (A80:R20) natural roasted coffee, Arabica/Robusta 20:80 (A20:R80) natural roasted coffee and Arabica/Robusta 20:80 with 50% of Robusta coffee roasted with sugar (A20:R80 50% Torrefacto). The different proportion of Arabica and Robusta coffee in the blend A80:R20 versus A20:R80 influenced the amounts of 20 chemical families of volatile compounds. Aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, pyrroles, pyrazines, furans, thiazoles, thiophenes, esters, oxazoles, lactones, sulphur compounds, pyridines, alkanes, alkenes, phenolic compounds, benzenic compounds, acids, pyranones and terpenes were present in higher quantities in the sample containing 80% of Arabica coffee, whereas sulphur compounds were more abundant in the coffee with 80% of Robusta. Sensory differences were also found between the two blends of coffee in the burnt, caramel, nutty, earthy and roasty notes. Torrefacto coffee, widely consumed in Spain, is obtained by roasting coffee with sugar. Higher quantities of ketones, alcohols, pyrazines, furans, pyridines, alkanes, phenolic compounds, pyranones and terpenes were found in the blend A20:R80 50% Torrefacto coffee versus A20:R80 natural roasted coffee. These differences in the volatile fraction were perceived by our panellists in the intensities of the nutty, roasty, earthy, burnt and caramel notes. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Discrimination between Arabica and Robusta green coffee using visible micro Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

We have applied visible micro Raman spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis (PCA) as a powerful technique for the fast discrimination between the two coffee species, Arabica and Robusta, based on their chlorogenic acid (CGA) and lipid contents. The Raman spectra reveal different CGA and lipid compositions when comparing Arabica and Robusta green coffee. Analysing the whole Raman spectrum, the PCA yielded a clear separation between Arabica and Robusta with 93% of the total spectral variation. Here, the most significant spectral range lies between 1000 and 1750 cm⁻¹ and is dominated by the Raman bands of CGA. Also, by restricting the PCA analysis to the spectral range from 2700 to 3050 cm⁻¹, which is dominated by lipid bands, a reliable discrimination between the two coffee species could be achieved. In this case, the first two principal components of the PCA accounted for 85% of the explained total spectral variation.     

Effect of different extraction methods on the recovery of chlorogenic acids,caffeine and Maillard reaction products in coffee beans

Water and ethanolic extracts were obtained from green and roasted (3 different roast degrees) Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. Three types of water extracts were prepared from the examined, finely ground material through: (a) brewing with boiling water, (b) boiling in water, and (c) boiling in water under elevated pressure. All these extracts were lyophilized. Two types of ethanolic extracts were derived from the examined material through (a) extraction of the finely ground coffee beans and (b) extraction of the solid residue that remained after boiling the coffee beans in water under elevated pressure. These ethanolic extracts were dried. Both water and ethanolic extracts were analyzed for concentration of potential antioxidants such as chlorogenic acids and caffeine (by HPLC) and Maillard reaction products (measurements of absorbance at 420 nm). Concentration of chlorogenic acids in Robusta extracts varied between 0.4 and 36.0 g × 100 g⁻¹ dry extract weight (db.), while in Arabica extracts it ranged from 0.1 to 22.4 g × 100 g⁻¹ db. Extracts of dark roasted Arabica contained more chlorogenic acids than those of Robusta. Concentration of caffeine, which in green and roasted coffee beans is maintained at the similar level, tended to increase in Robusta extracts with the roast degree and temperature of extraction with water, while in case of Arabica extracts there was no noticeable tendency. Caffeine concentrations varied between 0.12 and 8.41 g × 100 g⁻¹ db. and between 0.03 and 6.53 g × 100 g⁻¹ db. in Robusta and Arabica extracts, respectively. Ethanolic extracts were characterized by relatively higher caffeine concentrations and lower contents of brown pigments and chlorogenic acids as compared to water extracts. The richest in antioxidants were extracts of green Robusta coffee beans derived through boiling in water under elevated pressure.     

Chemical characterisation of non-defective and defective green arabica and robusta coffees by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)

The coffee roasted in Brazil is considered to be of low quality, due to the presence of defective coffee beans that depreciate the beverage quality. These beans, although being separated from the non-defective ones prior to roasting, are still commercialized in the coffee trading market. Thus, it was the aim of this work to verify the feasibility of employing ESI-MS to identify chemical characteristics that will allow the discrimination of Arabica and Robusta species and also of defective and non-defective coffees. Aqueous extracts of green (raw) defective and non-defective coffee beans were analyzed by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and this technique provided characteristic fingerprinting mass spectra that not only allowed for discrimination of species but also between defective and non-defective coffee beans. ESI-MS profiles in the positive mode (ESI(+)-MS) provided separation between defective and non-defective coffees within a given species, whereas ESI-MS profiles in the negative mode (ESI(−)-MS) provided separation between Arabica and Robusta coffees.     

Screening and distinction of coffee brews based on headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/principal component analysis

The volatile profiles of espresso and plunger (cafetière) coffees prepared from (1) an 80:20 (w/w) blend of natural roasted Robusta and Arabica (Robusta Natural blend), (2) a 40:40:20 (w/w/w) blend of Robusta Natural blend, Robusta torrefacto roast (850 g kg^?1 Robusta, 150 g kg^?1 sugar) and (3) natural roasted pure Arabica were established by headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) after selection of the fibre coating (polyacrylate or polydimethylsiloxane) and the temperature and time of extraction. For the analysis of furans and indoles the polyacrylate coating proved to be more suitable; however, for the overall characterisation of the volatile composition of espresso and plunger coffees the polydimethylsiloxane coating was chosen. SPME/gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) analyses allowed the identification of 37 compounds: four aldehydes, two ketones, 11 furans, 10 pyrazines, two pyridines, three phenolic compounds, two indoles, one lactone, one ester and one benzothiazine. The volatile composition was related more to the botanical variety (Arabica or Robusta) than to the method of preparation of the brew (espresso or plunger). Furthermore, use of the variability provided solely by the GC peak areas and respective retention times, combined with principal component analysis (PCA), yielded the information necessary for discrimination. The combined technique of headspace SPME/GC/PCA, as an alternative to conventional techniques based on GC/MS, is proposed as a lower‐cost, fast and reliable technique for the screening and distinction of coffee brews. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of free amino acids in green coffee beans

For the determination of free amino acids in green coffee beans, 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate was applied successfully as the precolumn derivatization agent. The separation of the 27 free amino acids of green coffee as yet identified or quantitatively determined is almost complete. The paper describes in detail the conditions of extraction, derivatization and resolution and presents reproducible data of standard curves and of quantitative results. It has been demonstrated that by applying the extraction procedure described, 99.8% of the free amino acids detectable by this method are extracted. On principle, Arabica and Robusta coffees contain the same main and minor amino acids. It was possible for the first time to determine the free amino acids ornithine, -alanine and pipecolic acid quantitatively in Arabica and Robusta coffees as well as hydroxyproline in Arabica coffees.

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Bestimmung freier Aminosäuren in grünen Kaffeebohnen. I. Bestimmung der Aminosäuren nach Vorsäulen-Derivatisierung mit 9-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonylchlorid

Zusammenfassung Zur Bestimmung freier Aminosäuren in Rohkaffees wurde 9-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonylchlorid als Vorsäulenderivatisierungsreagenz erfolgreich eingesetzt. Die Trennung der 27 in Rohkaffee bisher identifizierten bzw. quantitativ bestimmten freien Aminosäuren gelang weitestgehend vollständig. Extraktions-, Derivatisierungs- und Trennbedingungen sind detailliert beschrieben, Eichung sowie Ergebnisse der quantitativen Aminosäurenanalytik wurden statistisch abgesichert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, daß durch Anwendung des beschriebenen Extraktionsverfahrens 99,8% der mittels dieser Methode erfaßbaren freien Aminosäuren aus Rohkaffees extrahiert werden. Arabica- und Robusta-Rohkaffees weisen prinzipiell gleiche Haupt- und Minoraminosäuren auf. Erstmals wurden die freien Aminosäuren Ornithin, -Alanin und Pipecolinsäure in Arabica- und Robusta-Rohkaffees sowie Hydroxyprolin in Arabica-Rohkaffees quantitativ bestimmt.

     

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Leaf: Its Potential Effect on Human Health and Nutrition

Previous experiments revealed that sweetpotato leaves contain a high content of polyphenolics, namely anthocyanins and phenolic acids, compared with the major commercial vegetables. Sweetpotato leaves contain at least 15 biologically active anthocyanins that have significant medicinal value for certain human diseases and may also be used as natural food colorants. The anthocyanins were acylated cyanidin and peonidin type. The phenolic acids were composed of caffeic acid (CA) and 5 kinds of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, 3‐mono‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid, ChA), 3,4‐di‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (3,4‐diCQA), 3,5‐di‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (3,5‐diCQA), 4,5‐di‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (4,5‐diCQA), and 3,4,5‐tri‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (3,4,5‐triCQA). These polyphenolics showed various kinds of physiological functions, radical scavenging activity, antimutagenic activity, anticancer, antidiabetes, and antibacterial activity in vitro or in vivo, which may be helpful for maintaining and promoting human health. The physiological function of caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivatives with the plural caffeoyl group is more effective than with a monocaffeoyl one. This review describes the nutritional composition and physiological functions of sweetpotato leaves when used as a vegetable, and as a resource for products with these functions.     

The measurement of feruloylquinic acids and caffeoylquinic acids in coffee beans. Development of the technique and its preliminary application to green coffee beans.

This paper describes the development of a quantitative, colorimetric technique for the determination of feruloylquinic acids, caffeoylquinic acids and total chlorogenic acids in synthetic mixtures and green coffee beans. The results are analysed statistically and discussed with reference to previously published data.     

Evidence for protective effects of coffees on oxidative stressinduced apoptosis through antioxidant capacity of phenolics

This study evaluated total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of randomly selected regular and decaffeinated coffees commercially available in Korea and their protective effects in human hepatic epithelial HepG2 cell line against oxidative stress. All coffees tested exhibited potent antioxidant capacity in chemical systems and, consequently, significant protection of cells from oxidative stress in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, H₂O₂-induced apoptosis as evaluated by annexin V staining and flow cytometry was prevented by coffee extracts, resulting in the enhanced cell viability. Of interest, the content of total phenolics and flavonoids in coffees demonstrated a positive correlation with antioxidant capacity, indicating that the antioxidant capacity of coffees may be attributed to those phytochemicals. In accordance with previous studies, caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) and its derivatives including 3-CQA, 4-CQA, 5-CQA, 3,4-diCQA, 3,5-diCQA, and 4,5-diCQA were identified as phenolic phytochemicals by a reversed-phase HPLC, with 5-CQA being a major component. Taken together, the present study demonstrated protective effects of regular and decaffeinated coffees on cells in vitro against overwhelming oxidative stress due to richness in phenolics, especially CQA and its derivatives. Coffees, regular or decaffeinated, may serve as a good source of health-beneficial phytochemicals in diet.     

Influence of processing on the generation of γ-aminobutyric acid in green coffee beans

A determination of the concentrations of free amino acids in differently processed green coffees indicated the nonprotein amino acid -aminobutyric acid (GABA), a well-known plant stress metabolite, to be present in raw coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) in significantly varying amounts. The GABA content of unwashed Arabica beans (green coffee produced by the dry processing method) was always markedly higher than that of washed Arabicas (wet processing method) as well as that of untreated seeds. This result underlined the assumption that during postharvest treatment a significant metabolism occurs within coffee seeds. A putative relation between drought stress of the coffee seeds and postharvest treatment methods is discussed. The GABA content of green coffee beans may serve as a potent tool to characterize the type of postharvest treatment applied in coffee processing.