Physical and chemical attributes of beans damaged by the coffee berry borer at different levels of infestation

Abstract

The physical and chemical attributes of coffee beans have a direct relation with the sensory quality of the beverage and the commodity’s market value. The coffee berry borer is a pest that causes a worldwide harm, and its infestation compromises bean health and composition. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of infestation levels on beans physical and chemical parameters. Coffee samples were collected, and the damaged beans present in the samples were classified as to infestation level. The centesimal composition, color, quantification of bioactive compounds, and organic acids were evaluated. The L* and b* parameters of the CIELab color system were found to be significantly different between infestation levels. For chemical parameters, beans with major levels of infestation were found to differ from the others in the content of sugars, lipids, soluble solids, total titratable acidity, electrical conductivity, potassium leaching, succinic acid, and acetic acid. The presence of pests did not affect the bioactive compounds present in the coffee beans.