Buy Theobromine (xantheose) Cas 83-67-0

Theobromine, also known as xantheose, is the principal alkaloid of Theobroma cacao (cacao plant).^[4] Theobromine is slightly water-soluble (330 mg/L) with a bitter taste.^[5] In industry, theobromine is used as an additive and precursor to some cosmetics.^[4] It is found in chocolate and several other foods, including tea (Camellia sinensis), some American hollies (yaupon and guayusa) and the kola nut. It is a white or colourless solid, but commercial samples can appear yellowish.^[5]

Theobromine, a metabolite of caffeine, is processed in the liver into xanthine and methyluric acid, peaks in the blood 2–3 hours after ingestion due to its fat solubility, and primarily acts by inhibiting adenosine receptors with minor phosphodiesterase inhibition. It is a mild heart stimulant and bronchodilator in humans with limited central nervous system effects. It can be toxic or fatal to animals like dogs and cats due to their slower metabolism of the compound.

Theobromine is a flat molecule,^[3] a derivative of purine and an isomer of theophylline.^[6] It is also classified as a dimethyl xanthine.^[5][7] Related compounds include theophylline, caffeine, paraxanthine, and 7-methylxanthine, each of which differ in the number or placement of the methyl groups.^[5]

Theobromine was discovered in 1841^[8] in cacao beans by the chemist A. Woskresensky.^[9] Synthesis of theobromine from xanthine was first reported in 1882 by Hermann Emil Fischer.^[10][11][12]

Theobromine is derived from Theobroma, the name of the genus of the cacao tree, with the suffix -ine given to alkaloids and other basic nitrogen-containing compounds.^[13] That name in turn is made up of the Greek roots theo (“god“) and broma (“food”), meaning “food of the gods”.^[14]

Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine, which is based on Greek bromos (“stench”).

Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate. Cocoa butter only contains trace amounts of theobromine. There are usually higher concentrations in dark than in milk chocolate.^[15]

There are approximately 60 milligrams (1 grain) of theobromine in 28 grams (1 oz) of milk chocolate,^[16] while the same amount of dark chocolate contains about 200 milligrams (3 grains).^[17] Cocoa beans naturally contain approximately 1% theobromine.^[18]

Plant species and components with substantial amounts of theobromine are:^[19][20]

• Theobroma cacao – seed and seed coat
• Theobroma bicolor – seed coat
• Ilex paraguariensis – leaf
• Ilex guayusa – leaf
• Ilex vomitoria – leaf
• Camellia sinensis – leaf

Theobromine can also be found in trace amounts in the kola nut, the guarana berry, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis),^[21] and the tea plant.^[22]