Determina??o do teor de metilxantinas em amostras de guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) em pó comercializadas em farmácias de Feira de Santana, Bahia

摘要

Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth) is a species native to the Amazon region of Brazil, which haspharmacological activity stimulant of central nervous system. This is attributed to the presence ofsecondary metabolites known as methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine) found in theseeds. Due to the large consumption and marketing of food supplements based on guarana seeds, thisstudy aims to determine the levels of methylxanthines in commercial samples of powdered seeds ofPaullinia cupana Kunth. The methylxanthines content was determined by spectrophotometry (λ = 271nm), as recommended in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia 4th edition and establishes a minimum content of5% of methylxanthines. Two of three samples analysed showed lower levels of methylxanthines thatrecommended by the Pharmacopeia.