Bacteria eat caffeine

A new bacterium called Pseudomonas putida CBB5, using caffeine as a food source was discovered in a study at the University of Iowa (USA). New bacteria use an enzyme to break down the caffeine molecule, allowing them to survive and grow.

Pseudomonas putida bacteria.

When people consume caffeine, it circulates through blood vessels, is converted into metabolites by the liver, then excreted in the urine, all without using calorie energy. However, the chemical composition of caffeine (C ₈ H ₁₀ N ₄ O ₂ ) includes: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, the four basic elements necessary for bacterial cell growth.

In the caffeine molecule there are three structures, called methyl groups - consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen. Pseudomonas putida CBB5 uses special enzymes to effectively remove the methyl group, decompose caffeine into CO2 and ammonia and use the energy of this process to grow and develop.

This study identified compounds formed during decomposition of caffeine and natural compounds used in asthma medications, improved blood flow and stabilized arrhythmias. Currently these drugs are difficult to synthesize chemicals. Using CBB5 enzymes will enable the production of these drugs more easily, which helps reduce costs.

Another potential application of this bacterium is the reduction of caffeine in coffee and tea, replacing the currently used chemicals.