On-line solid–phase extraction using a C18 minicolumn coupled to a flow injection system for determination of caffeine in green and roasted coffee beans

A novel and fast method based on the solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to a flow injection system for the determination of caffeine in coffee beans was developed. The caffeine extraction of coffee beans was carried out with hot water. A C18 reverse-phase mini-column was coupled to a continuous flow manifold to carry out the on-line SPE and the quantification of caffeine from aqueous extracts. Column length, retention time, elution volume, extracting solution and injection volume were evaluated. The retention time was of 90 s and the elution was carried out with 400 μL of a methanol:water mixture (25:75). The proposed on-line SPE was compared against a chloroform extraction from aqueous extracts. With the proposed method the sample preparation was minimised and the sample throughput was increased (10 determination/h) because no dilution was required. Green coffee beans and beans with different roasting degree were analyzed.