Identification of abscisic acid in flower buds of Coffea arabica (L.)

Abstract
Extracts of flower buds of Coffea arabica (L.) collected before and after bud break contain abscisic acid. This was demonstrated using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography combined with mass spectroscopy. Abscisic acid accounts for about 75% of the inhibitory activity in the acidic extract. The possible role of abscisic acid in the dormancy of coffee flower buds is discussed.