EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM COFFEE BEAN

COFFEE & CAFFEINE SOLVENT DECAFFEINATION

Caffeine is removed via solvent

Coffee plant (Coffea) is a small tree that
decaffeination. Ethyl Acetate & Methylene
belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is
Chloride are the common solvent used. This
primarily grown for
its

seeds (coffee beans).

affinity for caffeine
solvents have a high
Coffee beans contain variable levels of

and selectively bind

to the caffeine
caffeine. Caffeine can influence the central
molecules. The typical percentage recovery
nervous systems and can lead to sleep
of caffeine from coffee beans is generally
problems, restlessness and discomfort.
high, ranging from 96% to 99%.

The process begins when coffee beans are

PHOTO OF THE PROCESS

initially moist with water in the direct solvent
PHOTO OF THE PROCESS

extraction technique to help with the

extraction procedure.

A solvent is used to soak the wet beans. The

are removed from the caffeine-rich
beans
solvent,

often by a filtration process.

The beans go through a steaming process to

make sure that any last traces of solvent are
eliminated. The decaffeinated beans are dried
and packaged for consumption once the solvent
is removed.

ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

1. In the prior study, "Caffeine content and antioxidant activity of coffee beans from different coffee cultivars and
processing methods" (Martinez-Saez et al., 2018), it was shown that coffee beans can include a variety of antioxidants.
It showed differences in caffeine levels between the tested samples, revealing the impact of processing methods and
genetic variables (cultivar) on caffeine accumulation in coffee beans. The findings demonstrated that some cultivars
and processing techniques increased the amount of caffeine in the beans.
2. Solvent are still preferable due to:
Extraction efficiency - These solvents have shown to be effective for removing a variety of bioactive substances from
plant materials.
Selectivity - Researchers choose solvents based on their ability to maximize the extraction of desired bioactive
components while minimizing the extraction of undesirable
compounds.
Cost and availability - Some of these solvents are widely utilized in a variety of sectors and are commercially
offered at affordable costs.

3. Ways to overcome the drawbacks of the usage of these organic solvents:

Solvent recycling and recovery - Implementing solvent recovery systems can also assist minimize waste and lessen
the impact on the environment.
Green solvents - Researchers are investigating and creating new green solvents (sustainable and ecologically
friendly solvents). These include supercritical fluids, such as carbon dioxide.
4. Alternative or significant advance in organic extraction:
Supercritical fluid extraction - a more environmentally friendly substitute for organic solvents, particularly when
utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2). SFE has benefits including good selectivity, adjustable extraction settings, and
simple solvent recovery.
 CALCULATION

CONCLUSION & REFERNCES

Due to its impact of restlessness & insomnia, caffeine must be removed from coffee beans using
methylene chloride as a solvent. Based on the calculation made, it is required 4 stages to achieve 97% of
removal of caffeine from coffee beans.

1. Martinez-Saez,Tomas-Barberan, & Espin, J. C. (2018). Caffeine content and antioxidant activity of

coffee beans from different coffee cultivars and processing methods.

2. Ramalakshmi, K., & Raghavan, B. (1999). Caffeine in coffee: Its removal. Why and how? Critical
Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
3. How is coffee decaffeinated? is decaf safe to drink regularly? (n.d.).
https://keymerhealth.com/articles/how-is-decaf-coffee-decaffeinated/