Caffeine and theobromine levels in selected Nigerian beverages

Caffeine and theobromine contents (mg/g) were determined in samples of sele cted Nigerian beverage products. The beverages were cocoa (Milo, Bournvita, Rosevita and Enervita), coffee (Nescafe, Bongo, and Maxwell House decaffei nated) and tea (Lipton). The theobromine contents of samples of Milo, Bourn vita, Rosevita, Enervita, Nescafe, Bongo, Maxwell House decaffeinated coffe e and Lipton were 62.10 +/- 5.21, 64.80 +/- 6.72, 82.80 +/- 4.43, 80.37 +/- 6.80, 27.00 +/- 4.31, 14.67 +/- 2.90, 23.46 +/- 3.13 and 12.60 +/- 1.52 re spectively. The corresponding caffeine contents of these samples were 2.78 +/-; 0.43 (Milo), 3.17 +/- 0.36 (Bournvita), 0.92 +/- 0.51 (Rosevita), 1.05 +/- 0.68 (Enervita), 93.66 +/- 8.91 (Nescafe), 6.47 +/- 2.42 (Bongo), 37.2 2 +/- 5.34 (Lipton), and 0.21 +/- 0.11 (Maxwell House decaffeinated coffee) . Semi-processed cocoa beverages (Rosevita and Enervita) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of theobromine compared with the finished cocoas ( Milo and Bournvita). Similarly, Nescafe contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of caffeine compared to Maxwell House (decaffeinated coffee) and Bongo. Levels of caffeine in Lipton tea were moderate.