Coffea

The coffee plant is a relatively small tree or shmb belonging to the family Rubiaceae. It is often controlled to a height of 3 to 5 meters. Coffea arabica (milds) accounts for 69% of world production Coffea canephora (robustas), 30% and Coffea liberica and others, 1%. Each of these species includes several varieties. After the spring rains the plant produces white flowers. About sis months later the flowers are replaced by fmit approximately the size of a small cherry, hence they are called cherry. The fmit on a tree can include underripe, ripe (red, yellow, and purple color), and overripe cherries. It can be selectively picked (ripe only) or strip picked (predominantly ripe plus some underripe and overripe). 

A. Zamarripa and co-workers, "Mass Propagation of Coffea spp. by Somatic Embryogenesis in Liquid Medium," in Ref. 40. 

C. R. Barton and co-workers, "Stable Transformation of Foreign DNA into Coffea Arabica Plants," in Ref. 40. 

Xanthines such as caffeine (1)> theophylline (aminophylline) (2), and theobromine (3) are a class of alkaloids that occur in numerous plants. The CNS stimulant activity of aqueous infusions containing these compounds has been recognized since antiquity. This has, of course, led to widespread consumption of such well-known beverages as coffee (Coffea arabica), tea (Thea sinesis), mate, and cola beverages (in part Cola acuminata). The annual consumption of caffeine in the United States alone has been estimated to be in excess of a billion kilos. The pure compounds have found some use in the clinic as CNS stimulants. In addition, caffeine is widely used in conjunction with aspirin in various headache remedies. 

P. H. Vaast and R. J. Zasoski, Effect of VA-mycorrhizac and nitrogen sources on rhizosphere soil characteristics, growth and nutrient acquisition of coffee seedlings (Coffea arahica L.), Plant and Soil I473. ... 

Roberts, M.F. and Waller, G.R., N-methyltransferases and 7-methyl-N9-nucleo-side hydrolase activity in Coffea arabica and the biosynthesis of caffeine, Phytochemistry, 18,451,1979. 

Suzuki, T., Ashihara, H., Waller G.R.., Purine and purine alkaloid metabolism in Camellia and Coffea plant, Phytochemistry, 31,2575,1992... 

The two main species of commercial interest in the genus Coffea are Coffea arabica and Coffe a canephora var. robusta. They are conveniently referred to as Arabica and Robusta, respectively. Each genus covers a number of varietals there are at least 13 varieties of Arabica coffees, for example. The genus is in the botanical family of Rubiaceae. 

Coffea arabica is a glossy-leaved shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers and red berry fruit. It was introduced into Arabia, in Yemen, in the... 

Coffea canephora var. robusta was not recognized until 1895, when it was seen as the indigenous Coffea species in the African Congo. C. canephora var. robusta thrives at elevations between the tropics, where the rainfall is about 75 in. and the temperature is 60 to 80°F. Optimal rainfall and temperature conditions favored by the two species are very similar the distinction comes in the tolerance of more extreme conditions. C. canephora var. robusta can tolerate more humid conditions without being attacked by Hemileia vastatrix, for example. 

The two major species of coffee grown commercially are Coffea arabica and Coffe a canephora var. robusta. For ease of reference in the following pages they are described as Arabica and Robusta, respectively. They are mentioned separately because they do show differences in their chemical composition. For example, Robusta contains approximately twice as much caffeine as Arabica. 

Element Symbol Coffea arabica3 Coffea canephora var. robusta3 Coffea species3... 

Oliveira, J. C., Silva, D. M., Amorim, H. V., Enzymatic activity of polyphenoloxidase and catalase in Coffea arabica L. seeds and seedlings, Cientifica, 4, 68, 1976. (CA85 139854e)... 

Tiscornia, E., Centi-Grossi, M., Tassi-Micco, C., Evangelisti, F., The sterol fraction of the oil extracted from coffee (Coffea arabica L.) seeds, Riv. Ital. Sostanze Grasse, 56, 283, 1979. (CA92 90899b)... 

Rizvi, S. J. H., Jaiswal, V., Mukerji, D., Mather, S. N., Antifungal properties of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine isolated from Coffea arabica, Naturwissenschaften, 67, 459, 1980. (CA93 180195u)... 

Tchetche, A. G., Quantitative determination of vitamin PP or niacin in Coffea canephora var. robusta by a microbiological method using Lactobacillus arabinosus, Colloq. Sci. Int. Cafe, 8, 147, 1977. (CA92 196459)... 

Gopal, N. H., Venkataramanan, D., Effect of ethrel on carbohydrate fractions of Coffea arabica L. fruits, Turrialba. 27, 101, 1977. (CA87 97235n)... 

Coffe a arabico L. (arabica) and Coffea camp bora (robusta) are the primary types of coffee produced and consumed in the world.9 Arabica coffee is... 

Coffea arabica Seed, fruit Brazil, Colombia Coffee 1.1... 

Coffea liberica Seed Regions in Africa Coffee 1.4... 

The world s coffee supply comes primarily from two major types of coffee beans, Arabica (Coffea arabica) and Robusta (Coffea canephora), which differ in several characteristics as well as caffeine content. Arabica is favored for its finer aroma, flavor, and body, and contains 1% caffeine. Robusta is neutral and contains twice as much caffeine.1 The ratio of... 

Simkin, A. J., H. Moreau et al. (2008) An investigation of carotenoid biosynthesis in Cofjea canephora and Coffea arabica. J. Plant Physiol. 165(10) 1087-1106. 

Coenzyme A (CoA), 20 249—250. See also Ace to acetyl- Co A in citric acid cycle, 6 633 Coenzyme Q10, 17 673 Coercivity, ofM-type ferrites, 11 70 Coextruded food packaging, 18 44, 45 Coextrusion techniques, for gelatin capsule preparation, 11 549 Cofactors, 10 253 11 4 folic acid, 25 801-802 for enzymes, 3 672-673 protein, 20 828-829 vitamin B12, 25 804 vitamins as, 25 781 Coffea arabica, 7 250 Cojfea Canephora, 7 250 Coffea liberica, 7 250 Coffee, 2 108 6 366 7 250-271 biotechnology, 7 265-267 decaffeinated, 7 263 economic aspects, 7 263-264 estimated maximum oxygen tolerance, 3 381t... 

Coffea arabica L. produces coffee of the best quality and it is by far the most important species. It is composed of several varieties that have developed spontaneously in the past a few new ones are being found at the present time. These varieties include Arabian, Mokka, Maragogipe, and such types, which produce the costly mild flavored coffees. This species is the most delicate, and is almost the only one... 

From Coffea canephora Pierre is obtained a coffee of lower quality, more commonly spoken of as Robusta, Uganda, or Quillou. It is a vigorous tree, second in importance to C. arabica, and has taken its place where diseases and pests prevent the more delicate species from growing. It is a much larger tree, has a wide spread, and when unpruned may reach 18 to 20 feet in height. The trees are planted about 10 by 10 feet and average about 435 to the acre. 

Coffea dewevrei De Wild, is considered by some to produce coffee of even lower quality than Robusta. In some places it has replaced Robusta and can sometimes be grown by native populations where the other two species fail. It is of the least importance to world commerce. The trees are large leaved and often called Liberica and Excelsa. The trees grow to over 30 feet in height if not pruned and are planted about 12 by 12 feet, averaging close to 302 to the acre. 

---