Influencing of caffein absorption from cola-type beverages

This diploma thesis was focused on basic physicochemical properties of caffeine and investigation of the interaction between the polysaccharide sodium hyaluronan (HA), pectin (PEC) or lignohumate (HUM) and the alkaloid caffeine (CAF). The reason why this thesis was focused on study of aqueous solutions of hyaluronan or pectin with caffeine is that the presence of polysaccharide- caffeine complex could be beneficial for slowing the absorption of caffeine. In the theoretical part of the diploma thesis there is described a group of alkaloids, which caffeine belongs to and also polysaccharides hyaluronic acid and pectin. The most attention has been paid to caffeine, its properties and effects on the human organism. This diploma thesis also deals with non-alcoholic beverages with caffeine, 4-methylimidazole, and phosphoric acid. The last chapter of the theoretical part is dedicated to fluorescence spectroscopy. In the experimental part of this work I deal with the basic properties of caffeine and interaction between the caffeine and selected polysaccharides or lignohumate. At first, the chemical and physical properties of caffeine were determined. Based on these results the interaction of caffeine and hyaluronan or pectin was studied by using the fluorescence and absorbance. The HA of molecular weight of 1,7 MDa and pectin from citrus fruits were chosen for the study of the interaction with the caffeine. These two substances were mixed with the caffeine of concentration contained in Coca-Cola. The results of interaction that would lead to the influence of the emission or absorption properties of caffeine, were not proved. As a part of the work there was determined how pectin behaves in strongly acidic solution and then there was monitored the pH, conductivity and solubility of caffeine in water by using thermogravimetry and visual experiments. The obtained results of the interaction of hyaluronan-caffeine, pectin caffeine or caffeine-lignohumate can be used for description of the behavior of caffeine in the presence of selected polysaccharides and natural organic substance