Variations in Diterpenes-Cafestol and Kahweol Content in Beans of Robusta Coffee Grown at Different Altitudes

Cafestol and kahweol are the two anti-nutritional
diterpenes unique to coffee. They are associated with
lipids of the coffee and are reported to be responsible for
hypercholesterolemic effect in humans. In the present
study, diterpene profiles in beans of ripened Robusta coffee
(Coffea canephora) fruits collected from trees grown at
different altitudes were analysed by High performance
liquid chromatography and mass spectrum. The levels of
free diterpenes cafestol and kahweol were found to be more
in beans collected from low elevations (0.12 % of cafestol
and 0.045 % of kahweol) than that of high elevation grown
trees (0.042 % of cafestol and 0.014 % of kahweol). Apart
from these, some major cafestol and kahweol esters viz.,
cafestol linoleate, cafestol oleate, cafestol palmitate,
cafestol stearate, kahweol linoleate, kahweol oleate and
kahweol palmitate were identified. The present study
shows that, the altitude at which coffee trees are grown had
significant influence on their diterpene content.