Caffeine - Catalysis

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao pods. Chemically, it is known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Caffeine is widely consumed for its stimulant effects on the central nervous system.

Caffeine Synthesis and Catalysis

The industrial synthesis of caffeine often involves catalytic processes. One common method is the methylation of theobromine, which itself can be derived from cacao beans. Catalysts such as Lewis acids or transition metal complexes are frequently employed to enhance the efficiency of these reactions.

Role of Catalysis in Caffeine Decomposition

Once consumed, caffeine undergoes metabolism in the liver, primarily through the action of the enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). This enzyme acts as a biological catalyst, breaking down caffeine into its primary metabolites: paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline.

Catalytic Extraction of Caffeine

The extraction of caffeine from natural sources can also benefit from catalytic techniques. For instance, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using CO2 can be enhanced by adding co-solvents or catalysts to improve selectivity and yield. This method is often preferred for its environmental benefits compared to traditional solvent-based extractions.

Environmental Impact and Catalysis

The production and disposal of caffeine can have significant environmental impacts. Catalysts can play a crucial role in the degradation of caffeine in wastewater. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing catalysts like titanium dioxide (TiO2) can effectively break down caffeine, reducing its ecological footprint.

Future Directions

The field of catalysis continues to evolve, and future research may focus on developing more efficient and selective catalysts for caffeine-related processes. This could include biocatalysts such as engineered enzymes or novel synthetic catalysts that offer improved performance and sustainability.

Relevant Publications

Associations between prenatal caffeine exposure and child development: Longitudinal results from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

Issue Release: 2024

Myths and Methodologies: Standardisation in human physiology research-should we control the controllables?

Issue Release: 2024

[Investigation of Mechanism of Creming-down Phenomenon and Development of High-order Functions Using Tea Catechins].

Issue Release: 2024

Identification of metabolites reproducibly associated with Parkinson\'s Disease via meta-analysis and computational modelling.

Issue Release: 2024

Chronic Caffeine Consumption, Alone or Combined with Agomelatine or Quetiapine, Reduces the Maximum EEG Peak, As Linked to Cortical Neurodegeneration, Ovarian Estrogen Receptor Alpha, and Melatonin Receptor 2.

Issue Release: 2024

Caffeine has no effect on submaximal running in hypoxia in low caffeine consuming males and females.

Issue Release: 2024

Gaussian process regression coupled with mRMR to predict adulterant concentration in cocaine.

Issue Release: 2024

Update: Protective and risk factors for Parkinson disease.

Issue Release: 2024

Warm-up music and low-dose caffeine enhance the activity profile and psychophysiological responses during simulated combat in female taekwondo athletes.

Issue Release: 2024

Phytoactive drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer\'s disease and dementia.

Issue Release: 2024

Administration time of caffeine in preterm infants: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial calcium handling dynamically shape slow afterhyperpolarizations in vasopressin magnocellular neurons.

Issue Release: 2024

Habitual coffee drinking and the chance of prediabetes remission: findings from a population with low coffee consumption.

Issue Release: 2024

Effect of Gene Polymorphism and Acute Caffeine Supplementation on Hormonal Response to Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind, Crossover, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Issue Release: 2024

UV/VIS-imaging of white caffeine tablets for prediction of CQAs: API content, crushing strength, friability, disintegration time and dissolution profile.

Issue Release: 2024

Taste Sensor Assessment of Bitterness in Medicines: Overview and Recent Topics.

Issue Release: 2024

Caffeine Protects Keratinocytes from Infection and Behaves as an Antidermatophytic Agent.

Issue Release: 2024

Influence of Carbohydrate Intake on Caprylic Acid (C8:0)-Induced Ketogenesis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols.

Issue Release: 2024

Analysis of Sports Supplement Consumption of Elite Referees of the Spanish Professional Fotball League.

Issue Release: 2024

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