BOT 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Coffea Liberica, Coffea Arabica, Adenosine
Document Summary
Ca eine: alkaloid, psychoactive compound structurally similar to and a competitive inhibitor/antagonist of adenosine (binds receptor) Adenosine = associated with sleepiness, so inhibiting its action leads to stimulating e ects. Stimulate heart, acidify stomach, urination, metabolic rate by. Excessive amounts: anxiety, headache, dizziness, heart problems, insomnia, mild delirium. Long term use > dependence, lack => withdrawal symptoms. Ability to metabolize ca eine varies among people, under genetic control > discrepancies in research showing bene cial/detrimental e ects. Co ee is the second most valuable traded commodity in the world, >25mil farmers. Produced from seeds of co ea spp. , small goody plant in rubiceae family native to parts of africa i. e. ethiopia. Trade initially controlled by arabs; boiled seeds prior to sale to render them inviable. Dutch obtained viable seed & established their own plantations. Brazil & vietnam lead world in production of co ee. C. arabica 80%; c. canephora (robusta co ee) 20%; c. liberica 1%
