This work reports the results of the investigation of bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, caffeine, total phenolics, and proanthocyanidins), total acid groups, and the antioxidant activity of the Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica) from the Brazilian cerrado (vast tropical savannah) (Minas Gerais state) and its defective beans (Black, green, and sour beans). The samples were prepared using three roasting degrees: light (180 ± 10 °C; 6,0 ± 1,0 minutes), medium (180 ± 10 °C; 8,0 ± 1,0 minutos), and dark (180 ± 10 °C; 10,0 ± 1,0 minutes). Considering the average of the three roasts per coffee and defective beans, the difference observed for the content of all constituents listed above was not significant (p > 0,05). Exceptions are the content of acid hydroxyl groups, which were slightly greater in the coffee defective beans and the content of caffeine, calculated using the semi-quantitative method, which was higher in the coffee itself. Both the coffee and its defective beans presented scavenging activity against DPPH. radical; however, the coffee antioxidant activity was always higher. The variations observed in the content of caffeine, total phenols, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acid groups, trigonelline, and chlorogenic acid levels can not explain the higher antioxidant activity observed for the medium roasted coffee (EC50 of 2,3 mg.mg-1 of DPPH.).
DPPH.; EC50; savannah coffee; roasted coffee
