Theobromine

Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2.

Chemical
Theobromine is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and ammonia, and insoluble in ethyl ether, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and ligroin. Theobromine sublimes at 290-295 C Theobromine is an isomer of theophylline and paraxanthine.

Physical
Theobromine is a white, amorphous powder of monoclinic needles. It is a bitter tasting alkaloid with a bit of a saline taste.

Synthesis
Theobromine was first discovered in 1841 in cacao beans Alexander Voskresensky, It was not synthesized until Hermann Emil Fischer achieved it by using xanthine in 1882. . For a more viable means of mass production of the chemical, chemists have modified the genes of camellia sinensis to produce Theobromine, rather than caffeine. This process was further developed and patented. . Aside from being synthesized, it is found naturally in cacao beans. This also means that it is present in chocolate, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine. It is also found in the tea plant and the kola nut.

Uses
Theobromine in small doses can help with asthma, as it relaxes the muscles in the lungs and throat. Theobromine dilates blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure. Theobromine has similar effects on the nervous system as caffeine, although the effect is weakened and it does not affect the central nervous system. Although consuming both at the same time is ill-advised, as theobromine is toxic if taken in large amounts, especially in the elderly. Having neurologic effects, it is used in cigarettes for more stimulation and flavoring.

Effects
Theobromine has been used in diuretics, myocardial stimulants, vasodilators, and smooth muscle relaxants. It was used to dilate arteries by using doses in 300mg and 600mg a day. Overdoses of theobromine are commonly shown with sweating, trembling, severe headache, and nausea. The average human can intake 1000 mg of theobromine without it becoming deadly, but it is not advised to do so, as the effects of theobromine poisoning will begin showing at this dosage. Like caffeine, it increases heart rate and alertness, but the effects are not as prominent. Ingestion of Theobromine through milk chocolate containing 240mg of theobromine and 16mg of caffeine by mothers showed that their milk contained a concentration mean of 5.3 mg/l at 2-3 hours after ingestion.

Toxicity
For common animals(e.g. cats, dogs, horses), Theobromine is toxic, even in small amounts. This is why you should keep your chocolate hidden from your pets, as they might get Theobromine poisoning from eating it. It accounts for the deaths of hundreds of pets each year. The pets normally ingest Theobromine through chocolate, which is made from the cacao bean. Cacao beans contain Theobromine much like the coffee bean has caffeine, and in fact, theobromine and caffeine have very similar chemical structure. Although Theobromine poisoning is common among pets, among humans it is quite rare. The average intake of Theobromine daily in the US is 39.05 mg, mainly coming from coffee and tea. That amount is enough to make pets become nauseous and have diarrhea.

Humans have a much larger tolerance to theobromine with the toxic level of theobromine being at 1,000 mg/kg. Theobromine has a biological half life of about 8 hours, this means that theobromine is processed and no longer theobromine. Theobromine is most common in humans that deal with processing cacao plants for chocolate or where theobromine is produced or used. Dogs and cats are much more vulnerable. Dogs have a resistance of 300 mg/kg. Cats are even less resistant than dogs at 200 mg/kg, but are less likely to eat it due to not being able to taste sweetness. . Dogs are taken in for theobromine poisoning most often on valentines day. Theobromine was first recorded by Alexander Voskresensky in cacao beans. Despite its name, Theobromine does not contain any Bromine. The name comes from the genus of tree from which the cacao bean comes from Theobroma.

Video
Theobromine effects on human body GnWNNW6C5ss