Application of LC and LC-MS to the Analysis of Melatonin and Serotonin in Edible Plants

Abstract

Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland of animals. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter and one of the precursors of melatonin biosynthesis. These two indoleamines have recently been reported to have widespread occurrence in many edible plants. Consuming foodstuffs containing melatonin and serotonin could raise their physiologic concentrations in blood and enhance human health. Literature concerning analytical methods suitable for determination of melatonin and serotonin in edible plants is limited, although several liquid chromatographic (LC) techniques have been used for their quantification. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods combine selectivity, sensitivity, and high precision, and enable the simultaneous determination of melatonin and serotonin. This work reviews LC and LC-MS techniques used to determine melatonin and serotonin, and the available data on melatonin and serotonin levels in edible plants.

Solid phase extraction/cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography for the analysis of melatonin and related indole compounds in plants

“…4 shows an electropherogram of the assayed samples. The obtained values are shown in Table 4 and are in agreement with previous works [23,[39][40][41]. Indole compounds were detected and quantified, indicating the valuable potential application of the present method for food and vegetal analysis.…”

Indoleamines and calcium enhance somatic embryogenesis in Coffea canephora P ex Fr

“…Indoleamines, such as melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine; MEL) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; SER), which are pineal hormones in mammals, are also reported in various genera of plants, particularly in the edible portions (Huang and Mazza 2011;Paredes et al 2009;Manchester et al 2000). The specific role of MEL and SER in higher plants, remains in the dark (Van Tassel and Oneill 2001).…”

Are the proposed benefits of melatonin-rich foods too hard to swallow?

“…Melatonin concentration Reference Walnut 137 pg/g (Kocadagli, et al, 2014) Walnut 3400 pg/g (Reiter, et al, 2005) Orange juice 2500 pg/ml (Fernández-Pachón, et al, 2014) Orange 150 pg/g (Johns, et al, 2012) Banana 8.9 pg/g (Johns, et al, 2012) Banana Not Detected (Huang & Mazza, 2011) Banana 655 pg/g (Badria, 2002) Banana 470 pg/g (Dubbels, et al, 1995) Pineapple 302 pg/g (Johns, et al, 2012) Pineapple 280 pg/g (Badria, 2002) Pineapple 40 pg/ml (Hattori, et al, 1995) Sour cherry concentrate <17.2 pg/ml (Kocadagli, et al, 2014) Sour cherry concentrate 1,420,000 pg/ml (Howatson, et al, 2012) Merlot Not Detected Mid strength beer 113 pg/ml (Garcia-Moreno, et al, 2013) ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT…”

“…In Table 1 the contents of melatonin in selected foods are listed; for more extensive lists see (Huang & Mazza, 2011;Paredes, et al, 2009). It is clear that measuring melatonin in plants and foods presents important methodological issues with respect to recovery and detection of low levels of melatonin.…”