Coffee variety, origin and extraction procedure: Implications for coffee beneficial effects on human health

Abstract

We set up an efficient protocol for the rapid analysis of NMR spectra of green and roasted coffee extracts, enabling the automatic identification and quantification of metabolites in approximately two minutes per spectrum. This method allowed for the metabolic profiling and the subsequent evaluation of the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of coffee samples, depending on their species (Arabica and Robusta), geographical origin and extraction procedure (hydroalcoholic, espresso and moka). The hydroalcoholic extraction is the most efficient method in terms of yields of low molecular weight compounds (in particular chlorogenic acids), while moka extraction provides the highest amounts of melanoidins. Moreover, that the ratio between health-giving compounds (chlorogenic acids, trigonelline and choline) and caffeine is higher in Arabica coffees. The data collected provide useful insights for the selection of coffee raw material to be used in the preparation of coffee-based dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional beverages.

Keywords: Antioxidant capacity; Arabica and Robusta coffee; Chlorogenic acids; Coffee origin; Green coffee beans; Melanoidins; NMR metabolic profiling; Roasted coffee beans.