Formula:
C7H8 N4O2
Synonyms
3,7-dimethylxanthine,
3,7-dihydro-3,7-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione
What is Theobromine?
Theobromine
(theobromide), also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of
the cacao plant, with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2.
It is in the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds, which also includes
the similar compounds theophylline and caffeine. (In caffeine, the
only difference is that the NH group of theobromine is an N-CH3
group.) Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine—theobromine
is derived from Theobroma, the name of the genus of the cacao tree. They
just tagged on an '-ine' suffix given to basic nitrogenous molecules. The named
Theobroma is built from the Greek roots theo- ('God") and –brosi ('food'),
meaning "food of the gods.
Theobromine
is a slightly water-soluble (330 mg/L), crystalline, bitter powder; the colour
has been listed as either white or colourless. It has a similar, but lesser,
effect than caffeine in the human nervous system, making it a lesser homologue.
Theobromine is categorized as a dimethyl xanthine.
Distribution
Theobromine
is the primary alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate. Cocoa powder can vary in
the amount of theobromine, from 2% theobromine to at least 10%, usually having
higher concentrations in dark than milk chocolate. Theobromine can also be
found in small amounts in the kola nut (1.0-2.5%), the guarana berry, Ilex
guayusa, Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate), and the tea plant. In general,
theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolates (approximately 10 g/kg) than
in milk chocolates (1-5 g/kg). Higher quality chocolate tends to
contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate. Cocoa beans naturally
contain approximately 300-1200 mg/ounce theobromine.
Theobromine poisoning
Serious poisoning happens in
domestic animals, which metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans,
and can easily consume enough chocolate to cause chocolate poisoning. The most
common victims of theobromine poisoning are dogs, for which it can
be fatal. The toxic dose for cats is even lower than for dogs. However, cats
are less prone to eating chocolate since they are unable to taste sweetness.
Theobromine is much less toxic to rats and mice, due to their relative genetic
similarity to primates.
In dogs, the half-life of
theobromine is 17.5 hours, so in severe cases clinical symptoms of theobromine
poisoning can persist for 72 hours. Medical treatment performed by a
veterinarian involves inducing vomiting within two hours of ingestion and
administration of benzodiazepines or barbiturates for seizures, antiarrhythmics
for heart arrhythmias, and fluid diuresis. Theobromine is also suspected to
induce right atrial cardiomyopathy other long term exposure at levels
equivalent to ~15 g of dark chocolate per kg of weight and per day.
A typical 20 kg
(44 lb) dog will normally experience intestinal distress after eating less
than 240 g (8.5 oz) of dark chocolate, but won't necessarily
experience bradycardia or tachyarrhythmia unless it eats at least 0.5 kg
(1.1 lb) of milk chocolate. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual,
baker's chocolate of approximately 1.3 g/kg (0.02 oz/lb) of a dog's body weight is sufficient to cause
symptoms of toxicity. For example, a typical 25-gram (0.88 oz)
baker's chocolate bar would be enough to produce symptoms in a 20-kilogram
(44 lb) dog. Large breeds (> 100 pounds / 45 kilograms) can safely
consume chocolate in limited quantities, but care must still be taken, as they
can safely eat only about a quarter the amount a human can, and should not be
intentionally fed it; peanut butter is often recommended as a safer
alternative.
From the article above, we know that chocolate that contain theobromine cause harmful effects to animals, how the effects on humans ? is it dangerous too ? what is the maximum level of chocolate that we can consume? is there any benefits that we can get from theobromine ?
BalasHapusHi Tir, i've read the other article and i found "Theobromine affects humans similarly to caffeine, but on a much smaller scale. Theobromine is mildly diuretic (increases urine production), is a mild stimulant, and relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi in the lungs. In the human body, theobromine levels are halved between 6-10 hours after consumption.
HapusTheobromine has been used as a drug for its diuretic effect, particularly in cases where cardiac failure has resulted in an accumulation of body fluid. It has been administered with digitalis in order to relieve dilatation. Because of its ability to dilate blood vessels, theobromine also has been used to treat high blood pressure.
Cocoa and chocolate products may be toxic or lethal to dogs and other domestic animals such as horses because these animals metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans. The heart, central nervous system, and kidneys are affected. Early signs of theobromine poisoning in dogs include nausea and vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and increased urination or incontinence. The treatment at this stage is to induce vomiting. Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures are symptoms of more advanced poisoning.
Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolates (approximately 10 g/kg) than in milk chocolates (1-5 g/kg). Higher quality chocolate tends to contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate. Cocoa beans naturally contain approximately 300-1200 mg/ounce theobromine (note how variable this is!)."
hi fren,
BalasHapusi read an article. there's explained that chocolate has its own effects on the human body. But the human body can digest theobromine, just that there will be disturbances in the body if these substances come in too much.
theobromine can stimulate the nervous system and the heart that makes us awake and excited. Another benefit of theobromine is to relieve cough.theobromine also serves to stimulate the heart, smooth muscle relaxation and blood flow. Theobromine is also useful for chest pain, high blood pressure, and strengthen arteries.
I just give some additions,
BalasHapusIt.s about the harmful of theobromine. Harm to humans is much more likely to come from the fat levels in the chocolate than from theobromine poisoning. Theobromine has a similar effect to caffeine in your body, but this is significantly weaker in contrast to caffeine. Furthermore, in contrast to caffeine, theobromine does not have a great effect on the human central nervous system.
It's about the level of theobromine we consume, even if you favour the sophisticated taste of strong, bitter, 70% cocoa solid chocolate you are safe with the level of theobromine you are ever likely to consume.
That it contains theobromine in chocolate can be toxic to most animals if consumed. The animals that react to the content of theobromine poisoning include horses, dogs, parrot, small type mice and cats (especially kittens), this is because their metabolism can not digest these chemical constituents effectively. If they are fed chocolate it contains theobromine will remain in their bloodstream up to 20 hours, as a result of these animals and may experience epileptic seizures, heart attacks, internal bleeding, and eventually death. Abatement is to stimulate the animals to be spewing chocolate and as quickly as possible to bring them to the vet.
BalasHapus