Relations between and inheritance of chlorogenic acid contents in an interspecific cross between Coffea pseudozanguebariae and Coffea liberica var ‘dewevrei’

Abstract

Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are phenolic compounds commonly found in green coffee beans. The main CGA classes are caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQA), and feruloylquinic acids (FQA). Each contains three isomers differing in the number and identity of the acylating residues. An interspecific cross between Coffea pseudozanguebariae (low CGA content) and C. liberica var ‘dewevrei’ (high CGA content) was investigated for CGA contents in F1 and back-cross hybrids. Relations within and between CGA classes were studied and confirmed the known biosynthesis pathway. A single major gene was noted for the 3-FQA isomer; absence was dominant. Additivity was found for most other isomers either with or without the transformation of variables. Conversely, most ratios were not additive, due to a curvilinear relation between some isomers. The consequences for breeding both in terms of cup taste improvement and disease resistance are discussed.