This study addresses the interactions of coffee storage proteins with coffee-specific phenolic compounds. Protein profiles of
Coffea arabica and
Coffea canephora (var.
robusta) were compared. Major phenolic compounds were extracted and analyzed with appropriate methods. The polyphenol鈥損rotein interactions during protein extraction have been addressed by different analytical setups [reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulfate鈥損olyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS鈥揚AGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization鈥搕ime of flight鈥搈ass spectrometry (MALDI鈥揟OF鈥揗S), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays], with focus directed toward identification of covalent adduct formation. The results indicate that
C. arabica proteins are more susceptible to these interactions and the polyphenol oxidase activity seems to be a crucial factor for the formation of these addition products. A tentative allocation of the modification type and site in the protein has been attempted. Thus, the first available
in silico modeling of modified coffee proteins is reported. The extent of these modifications may contribute to the structure and function of 鈥渃offee melanoidins鈥?and are discussed in the context of coffee flavor formation.
Keywords:
Coffee beans; storage proteins; phenolic compounds; antioxidants; protein鈭抪henol interactions; modeling