Coffee study reveals the genetics of java

Washington If you prefer your genetic research to be rich, bold, flavorful, steaming hot and with a bit of a kick, try a mug full of this: Scientists have deciphered thecoffeegenome and found genetic secrets that may make your cup of joe even better in the future.

An international team of researchers on Thursday unveiled the newly sequenced genome of thecoffeeplant. They pinpointed genetic attributes that could help in the development of newcoffeevarieties better able to endure drought, disease and pests, with the added benefit of enhancing flavor and caffeine levels.

The researchers studied the species Coffea canephora, better known as Robusta. It accounts for about 30 percent of the world'scoffeeproduction and is common in instantcoffee. It is second in importance to Arabica, generally known for a less strong, smoother taste. Separate work is under way on Arabica's genome.

Along with its the popular beverage's distinctive flavor and aroma, caffeine undoubtedly is a big part of its appeal. The researchers said their study, published in the journal Science, found, not surprisingly, that thecoffeeplant boasted a broad collection of enzymes involved in the production of caffeine.

They also concluded that thecoffeeplant's caffeine enzymes evolved independently from those in cacao (chocolate) and tea.

Compared with other plants the scientists examined,coffeepossessed larger families of genes related to making alkaloid and flavonoid compounds that contribute to the aroma and bitterness of beans.

"For any agricultural plant, having a genome is a prerequisite for any sort of high technology breeding or molecular modification," said plant genomistVictor Albertof the University atBuffalo, one of the researchers.

"Without a genome, we couldn't do any real advanced research oncoffeethat would allow us to improve it - not in this day and age," Albert added.

Coffeeis one of the world's most valuable agricultural commodities.

With an estimated 2.25 billion cups consumed every day worldwide, more than 8.7 million tons ofcoffeewere produced last year. Production and export are a multibillion-dollar enterprise, employing millions of people in more than 50 countries. A tropical and subtropical crop, it is vital to the economies of many developing countries.

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Coffee study reveals the genetics of java