In the Mountain Region, coffee is produced by people of the Mixtec and Tlapaneca ethnic groups whose crops are mainly the Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, and Mundo Novo varieties of
C. arabica, although hybrid varieties are being promoted such as Colombia, Costa Rica 95, Oro Azteca, and Sarchimor. The ripe cherries are cut and processed in artisanal way; cherries are dehydrated under the sun until to obtain dry fruits with a humidity of 11-12%, the shell is removed to obtain the green coffee beans (GC) [
4].
The green beans are marketed as mixtures of different varieties to intermediaries or establishments dedicated to the preparation of coffee beverages. The coffee of the State of Guerrero is known for its natural dry process preserving the pulp, it gives a greater attributes in cup compared to the washed coffee; this type of coffee is processed by entire families characterized by preserving and the care of the environment. The coffee production is carry out as specialty coffee on a small scale and organically. For this reason is necessary to carry out studies that contribute to improve the yields and cost reduction, such as analysis of the quality of beans and beverages, as well as the search for new markets [
11,
12]. These advances will make it possible to offer new options of coffee to the consumers from
C. arabica plants grown in indigenous areas of Mexico. In this work, the study of parameters associated with the quality of the beans and infusions of mixtures of Arabica varieties was carried out.
2.1. Nutritional composition
The bromatological analysis of green and processed beans coffee allows knowing the quality and nutritional composition of commercial coffees. The protein and carbohydrate content were similar between toasted beans and the mixture of Typica, Bourbon, and Oro Azteca (GCM) (
Table 1); the fat content was higher in the dark roast coffee (DCR). The higher humidity content was found in GCM which decreases as the roasting temperature is increased, while the ashes generated are similar in GCM and DRC samples. The humidity (<6.0%) and ash (<6.5%) contents in the medium roasting coffee (MRC) and DCR commercial coffee beans are within the range established by the Official Mexican Norm for roasted and ground coffee NMX-F-013-SCFI-2010; instead, only the fat content of DCR beans as an etheric extract (18 – 8%) achieve the parameter stipulated by the norm. The humidity conditions of green beans should be 12 – 10% to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria, preserve physical properties and nutritional content.
The main constituents of Arabica green coffee are carbohydrates (65 – 40%), soluble (sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, arabinose) and insoluble (hemicellulose and cellulose); proteins (15 – 11%) and free amino acids (1%); and lipids ( 18 – 15%) in the form of waxes that coat beans and triglycerides; the ash is at 5.4 – 3% and humidity 12 – 8%, which can be modified by the effect of roasting [
13].
The oils released during roasting help to prevent the loss of volatile compounds and other compounds that are attributed to the flavor and aroma of the cup of coffee. The roasting temperature is related to the humidity content in the beans, as the temperature increases in roasting the beans take shades of darkening the inner oils are released giving a shiny aspect to the beans. In the
C. arabica beans with light (176 °C), medium (204 °C), and dark (232 °C) roast the humidity content was reduced with the temperature increase, while protein (16%) and fat (16.2%) contents increased in the dark roast. Ashes and sugar contents were similar (2 °Brix) in the three roasts [
14].
2.2. Chemical analysis
The main compounds related to the cup quality of the coffee drink, which give it astringency and flavor, are CGA, caffeine, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, trigonelline, and volatile compounds such as furans, pyridines, pyrazines, and pyrroles [
6,
15]. In the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, compounds of greater predominance were identified in both infusions of greens and processed beans, CGA and caffeine with retention time of 8.51 min and 8.88 min (
Figure 2).
The
1H and
13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the compound isolated from the MRC infusion validated that it corresponds to CGA; chemical displacements and coupling constants (
Figure S1 and Table S1) correspond to those reported in the literature for this compound [
16]. The Typica variety of green beans (
Table 2) has the lowest contents of CGA (36.81 mg/g) and caffeine (1.16 mg/g); due to the GCM is composed in a greater proportion of the beans of the Typica species (Typica-Bourbon-Oro Azteca, 40-30-30%), the content of both compounds in the GCM is close to those detected in this variety. It has been reported that in Arabica green coffee the CGA content ranges between 52 – 76mg/g and is related to the variety of coffee, growing conditions, and degree of ripeness of the fruits [
17]; the CGA content in the Bourbon and Oro Azteca varieties are within this range.
When green beans are subjected to the roasting process, the CGA content is reduced by the effect of temperature and time exposed, where its content can be reduced at least a 30% depending on the level of roasting; CGA is hydrolyzed into the molecules of simple phenols that compose it, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and quinic acid [
15]. The CGA contents were similar in GCM and MRC beans; while in the DRC beans roasted at 210 °C it was a 53% reduction in their content compared to unroasted beans (
Table 2).
Studies carried out in different levels of roasting show that the content of CGA in the beans is correlated with the temperature and the time of roast, finding greater content in a light roast (186.5 °C, 7:15 min) of 11.24 mg/g of coffee, when the the roasting time is prolonging to a dark roast (186.5 °C; 14:02 min) the content was reduced by 70% [
18]. In the coffee mixed, the Typica variety that predominates has a low content of caffeine (1.16 mg/g) compared to the other two varieties, so the content of caffeine in GCM presents low levels of 0.87 mg/g (
Table 2). The values determined in this study for MRC and DRC commercial coffees are lower than those established for the commercialization of roasted coffee. According to the Mexican Norm (NMX-F-013-SCFI-2010) the caffeine content acceptable range is between 10 – 20 mg/g for roasted coffee. The caffeine content determined in green beans was increased in the roasted beans as the level of roasting increased (
Table 2); however, this content is minor of the lowest level acceptable by the norm.
In a study conducted on coffees from Veracruz, Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Chiapas states of Mexico, it was found that the level of caffeine ranges between 2.9 – 7.0 mg/g of roasted coffee [
19]. The caffeine content determined in the processed coffee from Guerrero state (Región de la Montaña) reported in this study is between these ranges. Some authors consider the use of magnesium oxide for the caffeine extraction and elimination of interferences for its quantification as is suggested in the NMX-F-182-SCFI-2011 and ISO 20481:2008 (reference methods for the determination of caffeine by HPLC), another factor to consider is the fertilization of crops using nitrogen [
18].
Caffeine is a main component of coffee, drinks from dark roasts present higher caffeine content, when the beans are roasted, they lose moisture, increase in size and become porous, allowing a better extraction [
20]. In Typica variety coffee beans from plants grown in two different places, the caffeine content in light roasting was 4.19 mg/g and 5.01 mg/g, when the level of roasting was increased to a dark level the content presented an increase (5.18 mg/g and 6.12 mg/g), a similar effect to that was reflected in this study [
20]. Other studies in
C. arabica have not reported variations in its content at different levels of roasting (11.9 – 13 mg /g) even using temperatures between 194 – 217 °C showing a thermostable behavior of caffeine [
21].
Otherwise in other studies it has been reported that in Arabica beans from Brazil, the highest content of caffeine was presented in light (6.42 mg/g) and medium (5.77 mg/g) roast, compared to dark roast (2.63 mg/g). A similar effect was reported in the Typica and Bourbon varieties coffee beans, the highest content was presented in light roasting (14.59 mg/g), followed by medium and dark (5.57 mg/g). The caffeine content in green beans of Sidama (16.4 mg/g), Yirgacheffe (15.72 mg/g), and Harar (15.03 mg/g) varieties was reduced to 7.96, 8.87 and 4.52 mg/g, respectively, after the beans were subjected to a dark roasting process; the Sidama variety shown a more significant reduction of 60% [
18,
22].
Variations in the content of chemical compounds are related to temperature conditions for the beans processing, and beverage preparation [
18]. In the infusion preparation, it is essential to consider the pressure, temperature, and contact time of the beans with water; within the populations the amount of coffee used can vary, for example for filtered coffees in Europe, the United States, and Canada 7 g per 100 mL of water is usually used, in Brazil 10 g, and in Italy 20 g are used [
23]. In this study, infusions were prepared with 6.1 g of coffee (equivalent to one tablespoon) per 100 mL of water by extractions by French Press due to its practicality. In Mexico, it is common to coffee preparation use one or two tablespoons by coffee cup for Turkish coffee or drip coffee.
Several studies have shown that the content of chemical compounds is influenced by the processing method of beans and infusions preparation [
24]. In a coffee cup (≈150 mL) the caffeine content varies between 40 to 180 mg. The moderate coffee drinker’s consume per day between 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, and between 200 – 500 mg of CGA per cup. Infusions of MCR using 6.1 g of coffee in 150 mL of water would contain 15 mg of caffeine and 185 mg of CGA, while in DRC infusions the content would be 24 mg of caffeine and 89 mg of CGA per cup [
4,
25].
2.3. Melanoidins
During roasting practice, various processes can occur such as caramelization, like this, the phenolic compounds can be degraded by Maillard and Strecker reactions, or it can be followed by the formation of new compounds such as melanoidins, acrylamides, and hydroxymethylfurfural [
26,
27]. The molecular structure of melanoidins is not precisely known due to the diversity of couplings of their components, their presence is related to the beans roasting [
28]. Melanoidins give to the beans a brown pigment, flavor, and color to the beverage and are associated with antioxidant activity that is enhanced by simple phenolic compounds such as caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acids binding to their structure [
15].
In this study, two procedures were performed to determine the content in the different infusions. In not clarified solutions, the melanoidins are present in the GCM and the content was more than doubled after beans are roasting in DRC (~2.87 fold) characterized by a dark brown coloration (
Table 2). Carrez I and II solutions are used to precipitate proteins and remove turbidity and micelles reducing interference at the time of readings (λ = 420 nm). In the clarified samples the content was lower compared to those not clarified but with similar behavior in their content, it was related to the increase in the level of roasting. The samples subjected to the clarification process lost color and presented the formation of a precipitate which may be influencing the elimination of compounds of high molecular weight. The contents of melanoidins determined are lower than those reported in the literature 200 – 250 mg/g in coffee [
29,
30]. Other authors report that the highest melanoidin content was determined in soluble coffee obtained from Robusta (676 mg/g) and Arabica coffee (peaberry known as caracolillo in Spanish, 305 mg/g) roasted with sugar [
30]. In the green coffee beans of the Arabica and Robusta species from Brazil, the presence of these compounds was low compared to the roasted beans, the dark beans of both species presented the highest contents but it was predominant in Robusta beans. There is a lack of adequate studies that relate the levels of roasting or color of the beans with the content of their compounds mainly caffeine, CGA, melanoidins, among others [
20,
21].
2.4. Sensory evaluation
The quality of coffee depends on the physical and organoleptic properties of the beverage, such as flavor, aroma, acidity, body, and balance. These properties are associated with the content of their chemical compounds (
Figure 1), mainly CGA, caffeine, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, trigonelline, and volatile compounds such as furans, pyridines, pyrazines, and pyrroles [
15].
The GCM Infusions had a pH of 5.6, MRC infusions of pH = 4.74, and DRC infusions of pH = 6.15. The MRC infusions had higher acidity correlated with the CGA content (
Table 2) as it was reported. Furthermore, the temperature used during the roasting process of coffee beans transforms carbohydrates into organic acids influencing the acidity of the drinks. It has also been reported that coffee infusions with higher caffeine content have bitter tastes, DRC infusions have the highest caffeine content, taste and color can be identified by sensory tests [
14].
The green beans lack of taste and pleasant smell to the palate; when the beans are subjected to the roasting process a series of physical changes occur such as shape, water content, density and color. Among the chemical changes, occurs the degradation of sugars, CGA, caffeine, and trigonelline related to taste and aroma of coffee drink. The formation of volatile compounds also affects the acidity and aroma of the beverages [
15,
17,
26,
27].
Temperatures of 200 – 250 °C can be used for 5 to 20 min for the roasting of coffee beans, during this process the beans acquire colors, flavors, and aromas characteristic of coffee. The sensory attributes established by the Mexican Norm PROY-NOM-255-SE-2021 in fragrance/aroma, flavor, acidity, balance, and taster score must present a score ≥ 8, in residual flavor and body ≥ 7.5, and in uniformity, cup cleanliness and sweetness of 10. Natural coffees or honeyed coffees of specialty are those that present a total rating of 85 to 87.75 points according to the Mexican Norm.
The quality of coffee depends on the physical and organoleptic properties of the beverage, such as flavor, aroma, acidity, body, and balance. The sensory analysis of the infusions prepared from MRC, considered as natural specialty coffee, a score of 86.25 was obtained. The points obtained in each parameter are within the values considered by the Norm (
Table 3). Natural coffee or dry process, it is common to obtain characteristic fruity aromas and flavors due to the preservation of the peel and pulp of the fruit [
31], such as those determined in this study, which presents aromas of tropical fruits and flavors of white wine, grape, and honey.
The score of DRC coffee (84.25) was lower than that required to be considered as natural specialty coffees but is within the natural coffees named premium (80 to 84.75 points) according to the Norm, attributes such as aroma, flavor, body, and balance presented the lowest score (
Table 3). In this drink, a floral and fruity aroma with date, grape and red apple flavor was detected, with a tartaric citrus acidity, a juicy-silky body and medium-high sweetness.
The sensory analysis performed on the MRC beans is within the considered range of specialty coffees, a lower flavor was reported (7.75), a greater body (8.25); in the case of DRC beans showed a lower aroma (7.75), lower balance (7.25), as well as a smaller body than in MRC beans. In roasted coffee it is very common to find mixtures of C. arabica varieties identifying different organoleptic characteristics influenced by the method in which the cherries are subjected to obtain the green beans, other aspects that must be considered are the altitude at which the crops are located, and degree of maturity. The commercial coffees analyzed in this study are carefully collected by hand considering the uniformity of the beans of ripe cherries, eliminating green and dry fruits from C. arabica plants varieties grown from 1900 m.a.s.l. under the shade of other native trees of the place; besides, during drying, cherries are placed on beds to avoid contact with the soil and the growth of contaminating microorganisms. In addition, selected and sorted grains are stored in moisture-controlled spaces to preserve the quality of the green beans.
C. arabica L. beans from Brazil processed as natural coffee (87.8 points) presented better attributes in aroma, flavor, acidity, and body than honeyed coffee (83.8 points), possibly due to fermentation carried out by the microorganisms present in the fruit (Stanek et al., 2021). Likewise, natural coffee (dry, 80), wet (85), and semi-dry (86) with fermentation of
C. arabica variety Colombia, presented similar attributes such as medium fruity body, medium fresh acidity and chocolate and caramel flavors. Sensory attributes are related to geographic conditions, climate, altitude, and crop field practices [
32].