theobromine

[thee-uh-broh-meen, -min]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, C 7 H 8 N 4 O 2 , an isomer of theophylline and lower homologue of caffeine, occurring in tea and obtained from the cacao bean: used chiefly as a diuretic, myocardial stimulant, and vasodilator.

theobromine

/ -mɪn, ˌθiːəʊˈbrəʊmiːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline slightly water-soluble alkaloid that occurs in many plants, such as tea and cacao: formerly used to treat asthma. Formula: C 7 H 8 N 4 O 2 See also xanthine

theobromine

1. A bitter, colorless alkaloid that occurs in the cacao bean, cola nuts, and tea. It is found in chocolate products and used in medicine as a diuretic, vasodilator, and myocardial stimulant. Theobromine is a xanthine and similar in structure to caffeine and theophylline. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₈ N ₄ O ₂ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of theobromine¹

1835–45; < New Latin Theobrom ( a ) genus of trees typified by cacao (< Greek theo- theo- + brôma food) + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of theobromine¹

C18: from New Latin theobroma genus of trees, literally: food of the gods, from _theo- + Greek brōma food + _-ine ²

Example Sentences

Unlike cacao beans, which are used to create chocolate, carob is naturally sweet and does not contain the stimulants caffeine or theobromine, which may be appealing to some, and unappealing to others.

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The lack of theobromine also means that unlike chocolate, carob is not toxic to dogs and cats.

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One of these is the compound theobromine, which is also found in tea and contributes towards its bitter taste.

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Tea and chocolate also contain caffeine, which theobromine is related to as part of the purine family of chemicals.

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It's well documented that the ingestion of caffeine and theobromine is highly toxic for domestic animals.

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