Posted on 05/11/2006 11:25:54 PM PDT by anymouse
While it might seem strange scientists would think to develop dipsticks to measure caffeine, how they're making them is even weirder.
How about three llamas and two camels.
The animals, both called camelids by scientists, are among the few whose immune systems produce antibodies that are not destroyed by hot coffee. We did not look into who figured that out or why.
Anyway, the researchers injected proteins linked to caffeine into the five beasts to elicit an immune response. The animals produced antibodies in their blood that were reactive to caffeine. Then in the lab, these antibodies were found to accurately indicate the amount of caffeine in hot coffee and also cold cola.
More work needs to be done to move the technique from the lab, via caffeine dipsticks. But that's the goal.
"We believe our test would be the first consumer test for caffeine and would be beneficial for anyone wishing to avoid caffeine for health or personal reasons," said lead researcher Jack Ladenson of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
You would not need camels or llamas to do this at home. The antibodies could be copied in the lab. You could even take the dipsticks into the coffee shop.
"Unlike other methods for measuring caffeine, which require large and expensive laboratory equipment, this test is potentially adaptable to a format that people could carry with them," Ladenson said.
The research is detailed in the June 1 issue of the American Chemical Society's journal Analytical Chemistry.
Amazing I knew one day researchers would find a way to figure out if coffee really has caffeine in it. I didn't think I'd live to see it but here I am.
But if you want the full experience...
"you could even take the dipsticks into the coffee shop." words of wisdom. the man with the stick...
Things like this remind me of why I didn't become a Analytical Chemist.
Hey...thats what we used to call one of our drinkin' buddies...
Yeah, like I'm the only person in the world who's ever spilled coffee on his camel.
Could be another reason. You might be working with a bunch of computer programmers.
ping
I Haven't Had My Coffee Yet Pingggggggggggggggggggg
Hey, look - we can take humblegunner to the coffee shop.
Uhh... I think what they are saying is that caffeine PRODUCES antibodies in anyone who drinks it.
It's just that those antibodies produced are susceptible to being destroyed by heat, so they can't be used as indicators on a caffiene "dipstick"
But now they've found that the antibodies camels produce are NOT destroyed by heat so they can be used for that purpose.
Kinda makes sense if you think about it...where do camels live?
In Osama's love hut...
Funny; I was thinking as I was reading the article that they would be good for assuring that you got the highest octane available. Caffeine free coffee makes about as much sense as alcohol free margaritas.
LOL!
Bet he's got a hairy harem indeed.
One time, I had some dipstick follow me around and tell me I drank too much coffee. Does that count?
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