Artigo Revisado por pares

Tetrahydro-β-carbolines, Potential Neuroactive Alkaloids, in Chocolate and Cocoa

2000; American Chemical Society; Volume: 48; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1021/jf000508l

ISSN

1520-5118

Autores

Tomás Herraiz,

Tópico(s)

Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Resumo

Tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβCs), potential neuroactive alkaloids, were found in chocolate and cocoa. 6-Hydroxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (6OHMTHβC), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (THCA), 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) in both diastereoisomers (1S,3S and 1R,3S), and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (MTHβC), besides serotonin and tryptamine biogenic amines, were identified and quantified in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, and chocolate-containing cereals by RP−HPLC−fluorescence and HPLC−MS. For each THβC, the concentration ranges were determined: 6OHMTHβC (0.16−3.92 μg/g), THCA (0.01−0.85 μg/g), 1S,3S-MTCA (0.35−2 μg/g), 1R,3S-MTCA (0.14−0.88 μg/g), and MTHβC (nd-0.21 μg/g). The highest content was generally found in chocolates and cocoas, but cereals containing chocolate also showed an appreciable amount of THβCs. The possible biological implications of this novel group of alkaloids in chocolate are discussed. Keywords: Chocolate; cocoa; alkaloid; tetrahydro-β-carboline; β-carboline; biogenic amine

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