Effect of Ethyl Acetate Concentration on Decaffeination of Robusta Coffee From Lombok, Indonesia

Abstract

Decaffeination is an innovative process in coffee processing to reduce caffeine content while maintaining coffee quality. This study aimed to observe the effect of various concentrations of ethyl acetate solvent on the decaffeination process of Robusta (Coffea canephora) from Lombok and its impact on coffee quality. The decaffeination process was carried out by soaking coffee beans at 50oC for 36 hours with the observed parameters consisting of water content, protein content, ash content, pH, total titratable acidity, and caffeine content. Data were analyzed using ANOVA to see the significance between treatments. The results of this study showed that different concentrations of ethyl acetate had a significant effect on the parameters of water content, protein content, total titratable acidity and protein content while not significant for ash content and pH. A 10% ethyl acetate concentration was identified as the most effective treatment, reducing caffeine content to 0.36%, while preserving protein content (10.47%), total titratable acidity (2.13%), moisture content (9.56%), ash content (3.31%), and pH (5.84). The results of this study indicate that the potential use of ethyl acetate as a solvent in the decaffeination process can provide an alternative added value to coffee products.