The Pattern of Purine Alkaloid Formation in Suspension Cultures of Coffea arabica

Abstract

The production of the two purine alkaloids theobromine and caffeine has been studied in suspension cultures of Coffea arabica. Maximum formation rate (sum of the two) was found after the exponential phase of growth. The rate of methylation and the biotransformation potency of theobromine to caffeine, studied by the application of [2-¹⁴C]theobromine, were highest in the log phase. Although tracer experiments with [2-¹⁴C]caffeine demonstrated a slow degradation of this purine alkaloid, it can be considered as a metabolic end product in this in vitro system.

Key Word Index

Coffea arabica - Rubiaceae - Suspension Culture - Caffeine - Theobromine - Kinetics of Purine Alkaloid Formation.