Morphine like protein found in coffee

Do the wonders of coffee know no bounds?

A study undertaken by researchers at the University of Brasilia (UnB) has appeared to uncover another useful trait – and potential health benefit – of our favourite drink.

Felipe Vinecky, of the University’s Molecular Biology Department, combined with members of the Genetics and Biotechnology Division of Embrapa, a state-owned research company, to look into the genetic makeup of coffee.

During the course of their investigation they uncovered something unusual, but something that could well be of benefit to the medical community.

The research party found that coffee contains a particular protein that, in some ways, is comparable to morphine. Moreover, the substance’s effects last a lot longer.

Whilst looking at the genome sequence of coffee in detail, Vinecky and his colleagues “identified previously unknown fragments of protein – peptides – in coffee that have an effect similar to morphine, in other words they have an analgesic and sedative activity.”

These peptides seemingly differ to morphine in one crucial way. “Their effects [have been shown to] last longer in experiments with laboratory mice,” an accompanying statement read.

The state backed company believe that this discovery has a great ‘biotechnological potential’ and it is understood that Embrapa and the University of Brasilia have applied to the Brazilian government for patents regarding to several new proteins that they have dubbed opioid peptides.

This isn’t the first time that the Brazilian-based Embrapa has looked into coffee’s DNA. A decade ago they successfully determined the functional genome of coffee, making it possible that certain traits could be transplanted between varieties in order to improve the quality and resilience of coffee plants.

This particular study also had the support of France’s Centre for International Cooperation on Agricultural Research and Development.