The lipid fraction of the coffee bean

Abstract

The lipid fraction of coffee is composed mainly of triacylglycerols, sterols and tocopherols, the typical components found in all common edible vegetable oils. Additionally, the so-called coffee oil contains diterpenes of the kaurene family in proportions of up to 20 % of the total lipids. Diterpenes are of interest because of their analytical and physiological effects. The composition of the main lipid components of the two most important coffee species, Coffea arabica and Coffea canphora var. Robusta is presented. In addition, the influences of typical processes like roasting and steaming on selected lipid components as well as the effects of the storage of green coffee beans under different conditions will be described. Furthermore, new findings regarding the 5-hydroxytryptamides, the main parts of the coffee wax located on the outer layer of the bean and the recently identified components coffeadiol and arabiol I will also be discussed.