Abstract
THE caffeine content of older Coffea leaves decreases after an initial increase in young leaves1. There are two possible explanations of this fact; first, a chemical transformation of caffeine; secondly, a translocation from the leaf to other organs. The object of these investigations was to find out if there is a breakdown of caffeine in the Coffea leaves and what compounds are formed. Four differently labelled caffeine molecules were synthesized, two with 14C in the purine ring (pos. 2 and 8) and two with 14C in the methyl groups (N1-methyl 14C and N7-methyl 14C).
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References
Wanner, H., Alkaloid-Symposium, Halle (Saale), 1960.
Kalberer, P., Ber. Schweiz. Bot. Ges. (in the press).
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KALBERER, P. Breakdown of Caffeine in the Leaves of Coffea arabica L.. Nature 205, 597–598 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/205597a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/205597a0
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