Theobromine Theobromine Theobromine, formerly known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, with the chemical formula CHNO. It is found in chocolate, as well as in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and the kola nut. It is classified as a xanthine alkaloid, others of which include theophylline and caffeine. The compounds differ in that caffeine has an extra methyl group (see under Pharmacology section). Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine—"theobromine" is derived from "Theobroma", the name of the genus of the cacao tree (which itself is made up of
Cacao swollen-shoot virus the whole plantation. Since the virus is transmitted readily through seed, only seed that is known to be free of the virus should be planted. "Planococcus njalensis" population density is closely correlated with density of ants in the genus "Crematogaster", which build protective carton tents over the mealy bug colonies. "Crematogaster" populations however are negatively correlated with populations of ants of the genus "Oecophylla". This could be a natural biological control that is worth considering if agents to control the "Crematogaster" ants are developed, since they should not target "Oecophylla" ants as well. Cacao swollen shoot virus has had a