Coffea canephora
Coffea canephora · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Coffea canephora is a significant plant species known for containing the potent chemical caffeine. Researchers have investigated various plant parts, including the flower, fruit, and leaf, to harness its therapeutic potential. Scientific studies focus on using aqueous extracts and other plant extracts to explore its medicinal properties. Specifically, these preparations have demonstrated antiadhesive activities that may hold promise for neuroprotection. This research is particularly relevant in the context of developing new strategies to manage conditions such as Parkinson's Disease.
- Synonyms
- Coffea Robusta · Coffea Welwitschii · 23 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Distribution
- Southern America
- Plant Parts
- Flower · Fruit
Classification
Common Names
Coffea canephora is a versatile coffee species known by a wide variety of regional and commercial names. Depending on the location, it is frequently referred to as Café robusta or simply Café conilon. In certain contexts, you may encounter it called Café-conilon or the more specific Cafeto robusto. It also carries the common name Cafeiro in some linguistic traditions. Understanding these diverse aliases is essential for anyone studying the global trade of this important plant.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Coffea canephora exhibits a complex botanical history characterized by numerous taxonomic synonyms. Within its diverse lineage, it has been formally identified as Coffea arabica var. stuhlmannii and Coffea bukobensis. The species also encompasses specific variations such as Coffea canephora f. sankuruensis and Coffea canephora var. crassifolia. Furthermore, its genetic breadth is reflected in its relationship to the subvariety known as Coffea canephora subvar. robusta. These various classifications highlight the intricate evolutionary nuances found within this significant coffee species.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Coffea canephora is a remarkable species that belongs to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast botanical world, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida. The plant is further categorized into the order Gentianales, showcasing its unique evolutionary lineage. It falls under the specific genus Coffea, which is well-known for its significant economic importance. Finally, this species is a proud member of the Rubiaceae family, grouping it with many other diverse flowering plants.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Genus | Coffea |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Coffea canephora exhibits a broad and diverse distribution across the African continent. Within East Tropical Africa, the species can be found growing in both Tanzania and Uganda. Its range extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, spanning the regions of Sudan and South Sudan. In the southern reaches of the continent, the plant is established within South Tropical Africa, specifically in Angola. Finally, its presence reaches West Tropical Africa, where it is native to Benin.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Coffea canephora is a self-supporting plant that typically takes the form of a sturdy tree. While its growth can vary depending on environmental conditions, it generally reaches a maximum height of 10 meters. In many practical settings, however, the species often settles at a more modest height of approximately 6.1 meters. This structural stability makes it a resilient component of its native tropical ecosystem.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Coffea canephora has demonstrated significant antiadhesive activity, making it a noteworthy subject in the study of natural antimicrobials. According to a systematic review of herbal interventions, plant extracts from this species show promise in combating multispecies oral biofilms. These biofilms are the primary drivers of dental diseases such as caries and periodontitis. By inhibiting the ability of microbes to adhere to surfaces, Coffea canephora contributes to the growing body of research into phytochemical-based therapies. Such natural alternatives may eventually help supplement or even replace conventional dental protocols to better manage oral health.
Compounds
Coffea canephora is a plant species characterized by its production of several chemically significant secondary metabolites. Recent metabolic pathway reconstructions have identified that this species contains L-dopa, a compound with vital medicinal applications for treating Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, genomic analyses confirm that Coffea canephora contains caffeine, a well-known purine alkaloid. The presence of these distinct compounds is linked to complex evolutionary processes, such as tandem gene duplications within the Rubiaceae family. Understanding these specific chemical relationships provides deeper insight into the plant's economic value and its specialized metabolic evolution.
Conditions
Coffea canephora serves as a natural source of L-DOPA, a compound used in the medical treatment of Parkinson's disease. The plant also demonstrates significant dental benefits through its inhibitory action against dental biofilms and multispecies oral biofilms. By causing bacterial lysis, the aqueous extract of this species helps prevent demineralization by increasing calcium concentration in the medium. These antibacterial properties allow the plant to act as a potential anticariogenic substance when applied to teeth and biofilms. Consequently, the various metabolites found in this coffee species offer promising therapeutic applications for both neurological and oral health.
Preparations
Coffea canephora is prepared as an aqueous extract to study its potential as an anticariogenic substance. This specific preparation, referred to as Coffea canephora extract, has demonstrated an inhibitory action against dental biofilms by causing bacterial lysis. Beyond this specific aqueous form, the plant is also categorized under the broader group of plant extracts used in antimicrobial research. Systematic reviews highlight that these plant extracts, including those from Coffea canephora, show enhanced antiadhesive and antibiofilm activity. Consequently, the use of such extracts offers a natural alternative for the control of oral diseases and multispecies biofilms.
Parts used
Coffea canephora serves as a significant subject of study regarding the distribution of medicinal metabolites within various plant structures. Researchers have specifically analyzed the biological composition of this species to identify valuable compounds like L-DOPA. Through meticulous LC-MS/MS analysis, the study examined three distinct biological replicates from the plant. This investigation focused on the chemical profiles found within the flower, the leaf, and the fruit of the specimen. Ultimately, these findings highlight how different parts of the plant contribute to the overall metabolic potential of the species.