RESUMO

Caffeine and theobromine were identified and quantified in leaf epicuticular waxes of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (Aquifoliaceae). The total epicuticular leaf wax content was ca. 0.5% on average of dry leaf weight. Epicuticular caffeine and theobromine contents varied from 0.16 to 127.6 microg/mg and from 0 to 9.5 microg/mg of wax, respectively. For some selected samples, the intracellular methylxanthine concentration was also determined. A positive correlation was found between inner and epicuticular caffeine contents.

Assuntos

Cafeína/isolamento & purificação , Teobromina/isolamento & purificação , Cafeína/química , Calibragem , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , Teobromina/química