Coffee contains cholinomimetic compound distinct from caffeine. I: Purfication and chromatographic analysis

Abstract

Both regular and decaffeinated coffees were found to have cholinomimetic actions when tested in urethance‐anesthetized rats. These actions were distinct from those of caffeine and reversible by atropine. The bioactive faction was purified from alcoholic extracts of instant decaffeinated coffee by liquid column chromatography and preparative TLC. The purfied compiund showed similar phamacological actions as the starting material. Chromalographic behavior was further characterzed by analytical TLC and HPLC. Chromatographic analyses of extracts of green coffee beans and roasted ground coffees showed that the cardioactive compound was only present in roasted coffees. Similar analyses of other commonly conscumed beverages, inculuding teas and cocoa, showed that this compound was not present in beverages besides coffee. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company