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