ABSTRACT

     Caffeine is an odorless, slightly bitter organic compound found mostly in beverages such as coffee or tea and in chocolate.  It is the most widely used “mind-altering drug” in the world, though it is considered safe and is mostly unregulated.  Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant on the nervous system, aiding in alertness.  Caffeine is also included in many weight loss supplements due to its reputation of acting as an appetite suppressant and in stimulating thermo genesis. 

A number of over the counter pain relievers, headache remedies and antihistamines contain caffeine.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover page --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Declaration page ------------------------------------------------------------------------i

Approval page ---------------------------------------------------------------------------ii

Dedication --------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii

Acknowledgement ----------------------------------------------------------------------iv

Table of content --------------------------------------------------------------------v – vi

Abstract -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------1 – 2

1.1 Chemical composition of Kola nut -----------------------------------------------3

1.2 Uses of Kola nut ----------------------------------------------------------------------3

1.3 Caffeine ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

1.3.1 Classification of caffeine ---------------------------------------------------------5

1.3.2 Sources of caffeine ----------------------------------------------------------------5

1.4 Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms of Caffeine ----------------------------6

1.4.1 Withdrawal symptoms ------------------------------------------------------------7

1.5 Justification -----------------------------------------------------------------------------8

1.6 Aim and objectives -------------------------------------------------------------------9

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review --------------------------------------------------------------10 - 18 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods ------------------------------------------------------19 – 21

3.1 Materials / Apparatus --------------------------------------------------------------19

 3.1.1 Reagents --------------------------------------------------------------------------19

3.2 Sources of the sample used -----------------------------------------------------20

3.2.1 Production of Kola grinds -------------------------------------------------------20

3.3 Caffeine extraction from Kola nut -----------------------------------------------20

3.3.1 Purification of caffeine -----------------------------------------------------------21

3.3.2 Melting point determination ----------------------------------------------------21

3.3.3 Thermal degradation of caffeine ----------------------------------------------21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------22 - 23

 4.2 melting point of caffeine ----------------------------------------------------------24

4.2.1Thermal degradation of caffeine ----------------------------------------------24

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, conclusion and recommendation -------------------------------25

5.1 Discussion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------25

5.2 Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------26

5.3 Recommendation -------------------------------------------------------------------26

References --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 - 31