The Bean Quality of Arabica Coffee ( Coffea arabica ) Seed Seems to Be Determined at Early Stage of Development and Is Related to Differences in d -Ribose and d -Fructose
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The influence of chemical compounds in coffee seeds on flavor and aroma precursors in raw beans remains poorly understood in specialty coffee cultivars. This study analyzed the variation of carbohydrates, such as reducing sugars, sucrose, starch, and total sugars, and identified differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) at different developmental stages of Coffea arabica fruits, employing cultivars with specialty sensory quality. Biochemical analyses revealed significant cultivar- and developmental stage-dependent differences in carbohydrate metabolism and flavor precursor accumulation. A total of 27 metabolites were identified, with the highest number of DAMs observed at 30 days after flowering (DAF), the most distinct stage according to PLS-DA analysis. Similar D-ribose and D-fructose levels were observed in MGS Paraíso 2 and Geisha, contrasting with MGS Catiguá 3 at 30 DAF. Metabolite profiling also revealed differences in compounds associated with glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, pathways involved in synthesizing precursors related to coffee bean quality.
Source: ACS Food Science & Technology
Authors: Gabriela Ester Ferraz, Robert Márquez Gutiérrez, Taís Teixeira Das Neves, Thales Henrique Cherubino Ribeiro, Marili Galvino Santos, Raphael Ricon de Oliveira, Gladyston Rodrigues de Carvalho, Marcelo Ribeiro Malta, Renato Ribeiro de Lima, Antonio Chalfun-Junior, Flávia Maria Avelar Gonçalves
Language: English
Topic: Coffee research and impacts
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Universidade Federal de Lavras
Awards: G1191022332, G1268213784, INCT DO CAFÉ, G1598593986, G1691651624, G22113365, G2823776494, G3068285046, G3252129808, G3276774383, INCT CAFÉ- MIC ( MITIGAÇÃO DOS IMPACTOS CLIMÁTICOS), From seed to cup: internet of things technology in the quality coffee production chain, G4070389223, G4167410367, G4238382168, G4257077194, G4577832329, G47252533, G473682650, G4972194355, G6191138830, G6255785868, G6588710022, G7434043568, G7539200513, G7673248907, G7832856854, CONTROLE ARTIFICIAL DO FLORESCIMENTO DO CAFEEIRO POR REGULADORES DE CRESCIMENTO
OpenAlex ID: W7169135898