What are the alkaloids in coffee? are alkaloids the source of coffee bitterness? what are alkaloids?

Did you know that coffee contains a plant ingredient called alkaloid? I'm not familiar with the word, but this time I'll talk about the alkaloids found in coffee.

About alkaloids

Alkaloid is a general name of alkaline natural plant components, which is similar to alkali organic compounds. Alkaloids are said to form groups called "secondary metabolites" produced by microbes, fungi, plants, animals, and everything else.

It is said to be toxic to many living things. Historically, it has been used in drugs, narcotics and hallucinations.

Caffeine and veratrine are considered to be one of the alkaloids in coffee.

The role of caffeine

Caffeine is one of the excitatory mental stimulants, and it has arousal, antipyretic and analgesic effect by antagonizing adenosine receptor (inducing drowsiness, reducing blood flow of liver, lowering heart rate, etc.). It shows cardiotonic and diuretic effects. This is a generally accepted theory, that is, "you drink coffee when you are drowsy!"

The effect of trigonine

Trigonelline has studied its pharmacological effects on nerves and is said to be an ingredient that activates nerve cells and regenerates signal transduction circuits. It inhibits the decline in the ability to transmit information caused by aging, which is an ingredient that can inhibit dementia and brain aging.

Recently, it is said to be good for dementia, and coffee containing large amounts of trigurin has been sold.

Utilization of plants containing alkaloids

Since ancient times, plants containing alkaloids have been used for medical and recreational purposes. The first successful isolation of alkaloids was opium poppy used as morphine, but caffeine, one of the caffeine, is also used in general cold medicine and painkillers.

Are alkaloids sensitive to heat?

Caffeine and trigonine in coffee are abundant in raw coffee beans. They are said to be susceptible to heat and have the property of decreasing content as roasting deepens. In other words, deep-roasted coffee has fewer alkaloids.

Alkaloids have a strong bitter taste.

Generally speaking, most of the components that belong to alkaloids are bitter. In the case of coffee, it is considered that it is usually the decomposition product of chlorogenic acid produced by roasting, and does not strongly feel the bitterness of alkaloids.

A summary of the "alkaloids" in coffee

Alkaloids are the general name of natural plant ingredients, which are alkaline and are the components contained in all plants. Coffee contains two alkaloids, caffeine and quinoline. Coffee contains fewer alkaloids due to calories, so choosing deep roasting beans doesn't seem to require much worry.