Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Caffeine from Instant Coffee

Caffeine—1,3,7-trimethylxanthine—is one of three common alkaloids found in coffee, cola nuts, tea, cacao beans, mate, and other plants. The other two are theophylline and theobromine (1 ). The effects of caffeine are commonly reported to be as a stimulant of the central nervous system, cardiac muscle, and the respiratory system. It is also a common diuretic and delays fatigue (1 ). It has also been reported (1 ) that caffeine in combination with an analgesic, for example, aspirin, can be used in the treatment of headaches. However, there are few data to substantiate its efficacy in this role.