Multiplatform Path-ComDim study of Capixaba, indigenous and non-indigenous Amazonian Canephora coffees.

Integrating diverse measurement platforms can yield profound insights. This study examined Brazilian Canephora coffees from Rondônia (Western Amazon) and Espírito Santo (southeast), hypothesizing that geographical and climatic differences along botanical varieties significantly impact coffee characteristics. To test this, capixaba, indigenous, and non-indigenous Amazonian canephora coffees were analyzed using nine distinct platforms, including both spectroscopic techniques and sensory evaluations, to obtain results that are more informative and complementary than conventional single-method analyses. By applying multi-block Path-ComDim analysis to the multiple data sets, we uncovered crucial correlations between instrumental and sensory measurements. This integrated approach not only confirmed the hypothesis but also demonstrated that combining multiple data sets provides a more nuanced understanding of coffee profiles than traditional single-method analyses. The results underscore the value of multiplatform approaches in enhancing coffee quality evaluation, offering a more detailed and comprehensive view of coffee characteristics that can drive future research and improve industry standards.

An overview on the Brazilian Coffea canephora scenario and the current chemometrics-based spectroscopic research.

This review explores the historical, botanical, sensory, and quality aspects of Coffea canephora, with a focus on Brazil's rise as a producer of specialty canephora coffees in the Amazon region, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Brazil has gained global recognition through the first geographical indications for canephora: Matas de Rondônia for robusta amazônico coffee and Espírito Santo for conilon coffee. Despite this, comprehensive insights into how variety, terroir, environmental conditions, and cultivation practices influence the chemical and sensory attributes of Brazilian canephora remain underdeveloped compared to well-studied arabica coffee. Producers and researchers are working to elevate canephora coffees to higher market levels, despite technological, production, and perception challenges stemming from its historical reputation for poor quality. Ensuring the sustainability of Amazonian canephora coffee without deforestation is particularly challenging due to the need to verify practices across numerous small-scale farms. There is also a critical need for standardized production and tasting protocols for Brazilian canephora, leveraging local expertise and professional cuppers to ensure consistent quality and reliable sustainability claims. Significant opportunities exist in valuing the production chain of geographically unique canephora coffees, which could increase specialty exports, enhance economic prospects for local farmers, and support Amazon preservation. Recognizing and marketing these coffees as premium products with unique flavor profiles can boost their global appeal. Another challenge lies in establishing new specialty standards for soluble coffee from specialty canephora to meet consumer demands for convenience without compromising taste or ethical standards. In such a scenario, several analytical methods have been suggested to identify high-quality variants, combating their stigmatization. The potential of spectroscopy techniques and chemometrics-based data science is highlighted in confirming coffee quality, authenticity, traceability, and geographical origin, enhancing model interpretation and predictive accuracy through synergistic and complementary information. Non-targeted spectroscopic analyses, providing comprehensive spectral fingerprints, are contrasted with targeted analyses. Overall, this review offers valuable insights for the coffee scientific community, exporters, importers, roasters, and consumers in recognizing the potential of Brazilian canephora coffees.

Nutritional Balance and Genetic Diversity of Coffea canephora Genotypes.

Our objectives were to study characteristics of the fruit (weight, percentage of husk/grain), to determine the concentration and accumulation of nutrients in the fruits, grain and husk, and to verify the existence of genetic diversity in Coffea canephora genotypes. The experiment was conducted with 20 genotypes in a four-year-old plantation, in a randomized block design with four replications and five plants per plot. The fruits were oven-dried, depulped (husk separated from the grain) and sent to a laboratory for nutritional analysis. Macronutrients N and K were the most accumulated/exported in fruits, respectively. In addition, the different genotype control cycles influenced the accumulation of nutrients in the fruits. There was genetic diversity among the 20 C. canephora genotypes, studied for the characteristics of concentration and percentage of grain/straw nutrients in the fruit. Genotypes 2, 8 and 13 were the ones with the greatest genetic distance, consequently they are the most dissimilar when compared to the other genotypes. Genotypes 8 and 1 stand out for having a higher proportion of fruit weight in relation to grains. Therefore, they are the genotypes that need a smaller amount of fruit to produce 1000 kg of ground coffee.

Photosystem II Performance of Coffea canephora Seedlings after Sunscreen Application.

In the conilon coffee tree, the stress caused by high light can reduce the photosynthetic rate, limit the development and also reduce the yield of beans. Considering that the quality of a sunscreen spray can influence photosynthetic performance, the goal was to understand the iterations between the quality of the spray and the variation of the chlorophyll a fluorescence when applying sunscreen on conilon coffee trees. The parameters coverage, volumetric median diameter, density, droplet deposition, and the variation of the chlorophyll a fluorescence were evaluated. The nozzle and application rate factors did not show direct effects in the physiological responses of the plants. Plants with no sunscreen application showed high values of energy dissipation flux. The photosystem II (PSII) performance index and PSII photochemical maximum efficiency indicate that the use of sunscreen for plants promotes better performance of photosynthetic activity and that it provides photoprotection against luminous stress, regardless of the application rate and spraying nozzle; however, we recommend using the application rate of 100 L ha-1 and the cone jet nozzle type because they provide lower risks of product loss due to runoff.

Correlating Coffea canephora 3D architecture to plant photosynthesis at a daily scale and vegetative biomass allocation.

Coffea canephora (C. canephora) has two botanical varieties, Robusta and Conilon. Intraspecific variability was hypothesized and projected for the selection of C. canephora plants able to maintain production in the context of global climate changes. For that, architectural, C-assimilation and biomass analyses were performed on 17-month-old Robusta (clones 'A1' and '3 V') and Conilon (clones '14' and '19') varieties grown in non-limiting soil, water and mineral nutrient conditions. Nondestructive coffee plant architecture coding, reconstruction and plant photosynthesis estimations were performed using a functional-structural plant modeling platform OpenAlea. 3D reconstructions and inclusion of parameters calculated and estimated from light response curves, such as dark respiration (Rd), maximum rate of carboxylation of RuBisCO and photosynthetic electron transport allowed the estimation of instantaneous and daily plant photosynthesis. The virtual orchard leaf area index was low, and light was not a limiting factor in early C. canephora development stages. Under such conditions, Robusta assimilated more CO2 at the plant and orchard scale and produced higher total biomass than Conilon. Lower plant daily photosynthesis and total biomass were correlated to higher Rd in Conilon than in Robusta. Among the architectural traits, leaf inclination, size and allometry were most highly correlated with plant assimilation and biomass. Relative allocation in leaf biomass was higher in '19' Conilon than in young Robusta plants, indicating intraspecific biomass partitioning. Similarly, variation in relative distribution of the root biomass and the root volume reflected clonal variation in soil occupation, indicating intraspecific variability in space occupation competitiveness. Coffea canephora denoted high root allocation in both Conilon and Robusta clones. However, relevant differences at subspecific levels were found, indicating the high potential of C. canephora to cope with drought events, which are expected to occur more frequently in the future, because of climate changes. The methodology developed here has the potential to be used for other crops and tree species. Highlights Functional-structural plant model was used to estimate photosynthesis on a plant and daily scales in Coffea canephora (C. canephora). Among the architectural traits, leaf shape and inclination had the most impact on photosynthesis and biomass. Under non-limiting conditions, Robusta had higher plant photosynthesis and biomass than Conilon. A higher leaf biomass allocation in Conilon clone '19' than in Robusta suggested variety-specific partitioning. Variation in the relative distribution of the root biomass indicated C. canephora intraspecific soil occupation variability.

Wet fermentation of Coffea canephora by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts using the self-induced anaerobic fermentation (SIAF) method enhances the coffee quality.

This work aimed to evaluate the impact of inoculation single and co-cultivation of LAB and yeasts during the wet process of Coffea canephora using the self-induced anaerobic fermentation method. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Totulaspora delbrueckii delbrueckii, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were monitored during fermentation. L. mesenteroides was detected in high concentrations in the coffee fruits (8.54 log10 cells/mL) and remained until the end of fermentation. Lactic and acetic acids were the main acids produced during fermentation. After 36 h of fermentation, 75.39% of malic acid was consumed in the L. mesenteroides + S. cerevisiae (MC) fermentations. In roasted coffee, the caffeine concentration reached 3.29 higher than the green beans in MC fermentation. Specific volatile compounds were detected in inoculated fermentation and may contribute to the beverage quality. Coffee inoculated with Leuconostoc mesenteroides was classified as fine (80.0-89.0), while the other fermentations were classified as premium (70.0-79.0). L. mesenteroides inoculation showed the best sensory score, and the beverage was characterized by caramel, fruity, and spices notes. L. mesenteroides inoculated alone or in co-culture with S. cerevisiae are promising starter cultures to improve Conilon coffee quality and obtain beverages with differentiated sensory profiles.

Inoculation of yeast and bacterium in wet-processed Coffea canephora.

This study evaluated the inoculation of Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Bacillus licheniformis, separately or in co-culture, in wet-processed conilon coffee. Wet fermentation was conducted for 48 h. Mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi were counted during fermentation. The inoculation of B. licheniformis and M. guilliermondii stimulated the multiplication of lactic acid bacteria. Acetic, citric, lactic, oxalic, malic, succinic, tartaric acids, glucose, and fructose were identified in all treatments at different concentrations. Methyl salicylate, 2-heptanol, 2-nonanol, and heptanone were found during fermentation. Methylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine identified after roasting assigned notes of "almond" and "chocolate" to the beverages. All treatments were classified as "premium," with the B. licheniformis treatment receiving the highest score. Bacillus licheniformis obtained better performance in fermentation, increasing coffee score and producing volatile compounds that provided positive sensory notes to the beverage.

Microclimate and development of Coffea canephora intercropped with Carica papaya: measures to mitigate climate change

Intercropped systems with Conilon coffee might provide a better environment for coffee production. The aim of this study was to assess the microclimate and development of Conilon coffee intercropped with papaya trees. Papaya was planted with spacing of 3.20 x 2.40 m. The coffee trees were planted after eight months, with spacing of 3.20 x 1.60 m, in-between papaya trees (in the same row). The measurements were taken 0, 40 and 80 cm away from the coffee plants, both in the north and south direction. Concomitantly, an adjoining full sunlight coffee system (not intercropped) was also assessed. The measurements included atmospheric parameters (temperature, irradiance, and relative humidity) and vegetative parameters for the coffee plants (leaf area, relative chlorophyll index, length of plagiotropic branches, length of orthotopic branches and number of nodes) in three periods of the year. The intercropped system of Conilon coffee and papaya trees led to a decrease in both irradiance and temperature, and higher means of relative humidity during daytime in all the periods assessed, which contributes to a better environment for coffee cultivation. The shadow provided by papaya trees in the coffee plants contributed to a higher leaf area but did not affect neither the growth of both plagiotropic and orthotopic branches, nor the number of nodes and the etiolation. The intercropped system of Conilon coffee and papaya trees may be potentially used as a farming system to mitigate climate change.

Evaluation of genetic divergence of coffee genotypes using the volatile compounds and sensory attributes profile.

The quality of the coffee beverage is related to the chemical, physical, and sensory attributes of the coffee beans that vary with the geographic location of the crop, genetic factors, and post-harvest processing. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic divergence of 27 genotypes of Coffea canephora using the volatile compounds and sensory attributes profile to select genotypes that produce a coffee beverage with high sensory quality. This genetic diversity was estimated from the Euclidean distance matrix using non-standard data and the Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA). The 2-furyl-methanol, 4-ethenyl-2-methoxyphenol, furfural, 5-methylfurfural, methylpyrazine, and 2,6-dimethylpyrazine were predominating volatile compounds in the genotypes. The sensory attributes had a positive Pearson's correlation with the total score. The volatile compounds had a different relative contribution to the genetic divergence between the genotypes of C. canephora. The 4-ethenyl-2-methoxyphenol, 2-furyl-methanol, and furfural were volatile compounds that most contributed to the formation of the groups in the UPGMA dendrogram. The relative contribution of sensory attributes to dissimilarity among genotypes was 6.42% to 20.20%. Therefore, this study verified the relative contribution of volatile compounds, in specially 4-ethenyl-2-methoxyphenol, 2-furyl-methanol, and furfural, and sensory attributes (flavor, mouthfeel, and bitterness/sweetness) to the genetic divergence between the genotypes of the three clonal varieties. Thus, this work points out compounds that positively contribute to the sensory quality of the Conilon coffee beverage.

Concentration of Nutrients in Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits of Genotypes of Coffea canephora.

It is important to consider the nutritional demand among genotypes of the same species to achieve high yields. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the concentration of nutrients in leaves, flowers, grains, and fruit straw in conilon coffee genotypes. The experiment was carried out under a randomized block design, with three replications and the evaluation of nine genotypes. Leaf collections were carried out every three months, from August 2019 to May 2020. Flowers were collected at flowering in July 2019 and fruits in June 2020, upon complete maturation of the genotypes. The materials were dried in an oven and sent for laboratory analysis to determine the nutritional content. Data were subjected to analysis of variance followed by a comparison of means and estimates of genetic parameters and clustering using the hierarchical method (UPGMA). The nutrients found in the highest concentrations in the evaluated plant organs were N and K for macronutrients and Fe for micronutrients. For the leaves, the concentrations of the main nutrients were high in the first and reduced in the last evaluated periods, possibly due to mobilization to the fruits. Considering all the plant tissues evaluated, the order of concentration of macronutrients and micronutrients was N > K > Ca > P = Mg = S and Fe > B > Mn > Cu > Zn, respectively. For a nutritional diagnosis, it is important to take comparisons of the genetic diversity and evaluation periods into consideration.

Fermentation of Coffea canephora inoculated with yeasts: Microbiological, chemical, and sensory characteristics.

This work aimed to evaluate Coffea canephora's microbiological, chemical, and sensory characteristics at 300 and 600 m elevation plantations processed by the natural method inoculated with yeasts. The coffee was spread on suspended terraces and sprayed with approximately 107 cfu/mL of Meyerozyma caribbica CCMA 1738 or Pichia kluyveri CCMA 1743, separately. Cherries containing bark and parchment were collected during fermentation for microbial groups counting, qPCR, quantification of organic acids, and sugars (HPLC). Volatile compounds (GC-MS) and sensory analyses, cupping test with expert coffee tasters and triangular test with consumers, were performed on roasted coffee beans. The inoculated yeasts persisted during the entire fermentation process. M. caribbica reduced the filamentous fungal population by 63% and 90% in the 300- and 600-m coffees, respectively. The 300-m coffee fruits showed higher concentrations of organic acids in all fermentation times when compared to the 600-m reaching out to 8 times more. Twenty-four volatile compounds were identified in the roasted coffee beans, with the predominance of pyrazines. The 600-m coffee inoculated with M. caribbica showed an increase of more than one point in the score given by certified tasters. Consumers noticed the M. caribbica inoculation in the 300- and 600-m-elevation coffees. M. caribbica is a promising starter culture for Conilon coffee with the potential to increase the beverage quality.

Coffea canephora breeding: estimated and achieved gains from selection in the Western Amazon, Brazil / Melhoramento do Coffea canephora: ganhos de seleção estimados e realizados na Amazônia Ocidental

ABSTRACT: Gain from selection is an important criterion in quantifying the efficiency of breeding programs. This study quantified the selection gain estimated under experimental conditions and realized gain achieved in the field, seeking to interpret the efficiency of the Coffea canephora selection. For that purpose, we considered experiments that began in 2004 with directed hybridizations to obtain new hybrid progenies. From a breeding population composed of 288 hybrid individuals, 12 genotypes were selected in experimental conditions from 2005 to 2012, with amplitude in the estimated gains from 127.70 to−19.19%. Those genotypes were evaluated from 2012 to 2018 in clonal tests in four environments of the Western Amazon. The environment that exhibited the greatest correlation between the predicted genetic values and the realized genetic gain observed in the field was the environment of Ouro Preto do Oeste, RO (0.67), the location in which the plants were selected, followed by the environments of Alta FlorestaD´Oeste, RO (0.44), Rio Branco, AC (0.43), and Porto Velho, RO (0.37).Experimental conditions showed that the effect due to dominance deviations was approximately three times greater than the additive effect. Nine clones exhibited higher genetic gains in the experimental conditions and at field, and two clones exhibited lower estimated gains and lower field performance.The clone G17-P7 exhibited high genetic gain under experimental conditions and low field performance. The selection in experimental conditions was positively correlated with plant performance in the field (r=0.55), which allows reduction of the original breeding population to a set of more promising clones to be grown in multiple environments, optimizing time and resources.

RESUMO: O ganho com a seleção é um dos critérios mais importantes para avaliar a eficiência de programas de melhoramento de plantas. O objetivo desse trabalho é quantificar a associação entre o ganho de seleção estimado em condições experimentais e o ganho de seleção realizado em campo, buscando quantificar a eficiência do melhoramento do Coffea canephora. Para isso, foram considerados experimentos iniciados com a hibridação direcionada para obtenção de progênies no ano de 2004, a avaliação de testes de progênies em condições experimentais no período de 2005 a 2012, e avaliações em diferentes ambientes da Amazônia Ocidental no período de 2012 a 2018. De uma população composta por 288 indivíduos estruturados em nove progênies de irmãos completos foram selecionados 12 genótipos com amplitude de 127,70 a -19,19% em suas estimativas de ganho com a seleção, para serem avaliados em quatro ambientes da Amazônia Ocidental. O ambiente que apresentou maior correlação entre os valores genéticos preditos e o ganho realizado foi Ouro Preto do Oeste - RO (0,67), local em que as plantas foram selecionadas, seguido pelos ambientes de Alta Floresta D´Oeste - RO (0,44), Rio Branco - AC (0,43) e Porto Velho - RO (0,37). Avaliações em condições experimentais mostraram que os efeitos devido aos desvios de dominância foram aproximadamente três vezes maiores do que os efeitos aditivos. Nove clones apresentaram maiores estimativas de ganho em condições experimentais e nos ensaios de campo, e dois clones apresentaram menores estimativas em ambas condições. O clone G17-P7 apresentou altas estimativas de ganho em condições experimentais e baixo desempenho em campo. A seleção em único ambiente esteve positivamente correlacionada com o desempenho dos cafeeiros em campo (r=0,55), permitindo reduzir a população de melhoramento original em um conjunto de clones de maior potencial agronômico.

Chemical and sensory profile of new genotypes of Brazilian Coffea canephora.

The study of Brazilian Conilon coffee genotypes with unknown chemical composition and sensory quality is extremely important since these data may contribute to the launching of new coffee cultivars in the international market with high cup quality. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic profile of 3 genotypes of Conilon and compared them to Robusta Tropical and Arabica coffees, all collected at 3 different levels of ripeness. The extracts were analysed by ESI-LTQ-ORBITRAP, and 11 attributes were evaluated by sensory analysis. To correlate sensory, composition and maturation, chemometric analysis was used. The metabolites trigonelline, caffeine, caffeoylquinic acid and sugars revealed higher concentrations in genotypes 105 and 108. According to the sensorial analysis, genotype 108 showed the highest final score (82), which was even higher than the Arabica coffees. Among the new coffees studied, genotype 108 presented promising characteristics, sparking interest in its national and international commercialization.

Influence of Meloidogyne incognita race 1 on the development of clones of Coffea canephora, variety "Jequitibá Incaper 8122" / Influência de Meloidogyne incognita raça 1 no desenvolvimento de clones de Coffea canephora, variedade "Jequitibá Incaper 8122"

Root-knot nematode is one of the most important phytosanitary problems for Conilon coffee, as it reduces productivity and is difficult to handle. We aimed at studying the infectivity and damage caused by M. incognita race 1 in the "Jequitibá Incaper 8122" intermediate maturity coffee variety. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in completely randomized design, with five replicates. The clones composing the variety "Jequitibá Incaper 8122" were inoculated with 2,000 eggs + second-stage juveniles of M. incognita race 1. Uninoculated plants were the control. Evaluations were performed 180 days after inoculation, considering the plant height (H), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves (NOL), leaf area (LA), number of plagiotropic branches (NPB), number of nodes (NN), chlorophyll content (CHLO), shoot dry matter (SDM), root fresh matter (RFM), final population (FNP), and reproduction factor (NRF). The nematode reduced NOL in clones 208 and 209, NRF in clones 201, 203, 207 and 208, NN in clones 203, 207, 208 and 209, CHLO in clones 201, 204, 206, 207 and 209, SDM in clones 201, 203, 204 and 205 and RFM in clones 205 and 207. M. incognita race 1 FNP and NRF were larger in clones 208, 201, 207 and 203. Clone 202 had FNP and NRF equal to zero, being immune to the nematode. Clone 206 presented the lowest NRF value among clones parasitized by M. incognita.(AU)

O nematoide-das-galhas é um dos mais importantes problemas fitossanitários para o cafeeiro conilon, por reduzir a produtividade e ser de difícil manejo. Objetivou-se estudar a infectividade e os danos causados por M. incognita raça 1 na variedade de café conilon de maturação intermediária "Jequitibá Incaper 8122". O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em DIC, com cinco repetições. Os clones que compõem a variedade "Jequitibá Incaper 8122" foram inoculados com 2.000 ovos + juvenis de segundo estádio de M. incognita raça 1. Plantas não inoculadas constituíram a testemunha. As avaliações foram realizadas 180 dias após a inoculação, sendo avaliados: altura da planta (ALT), diâmetro do caule (DCA), número de folhas (NFO), área foliar (AFO), número de ramos plagiotrópicos (NRP), número de nós (NN), teor de clorofila (CLO), massa seca da parte aérea (MSA), matéria fresca da raiz (MFR), população final (PFN) e fator de reprodução (FRE). O nematoide reduziu o NFO nos clones 208 e 209, NRP nos clones 201, 203, 207 e 208, NN nos clones 203, 207, 208 e 209, CLO nos clones 201, 204, 206, 207 e 209, MSA nos clones 201, 203, 204 e 205 e MFR nos clones 205 e 207. PFN e FRE de M. incognita raça 1 foram maiores nos clones 208, 201, 207 e 203; o clone 202 teve a PFN e a FRE igual a zero, apresentando-se imune ao nematoide. O clone 206 apresentou o menor valor de FRE entre os clones parasitados por M. incognita.(AU)