Melatonin from Microorganisms, Algae, and Plants as Possible Alternatives to Synthetic Melatonin

Abstract

Melatonin dietary supplements are widely consumed worldwide, with developed countries as the largest consumers, with an estimated annual growth rate of approximately 10% until 2027, mainly in developing countries. The wide use of melatonin against sleep disorders and particular problems, such as jet lag, has been added to other applications, such as anti-aging, anti-stress, immune system activation, anticancer, and others, which have triggered its use, normally without a prescription. The chemical industry currently covers 100% of the needs of the melatonin market. Motivated by sectors with more natural consumption habits, a few years ago, the possibility of obtaining melatonin from plants, called phytomelatonin, arose. More recently, the pharmaceutical industry has developed genetically modified microorganisms whose ability to produce biological melatonin in bioreactors has been enhanced. This paper reviews the aspects of the chemical and biological synthesis of melatonin for human consumption, mainly as dietary supplements. The pros and cons of obtaining melatonin from microorganisms and phytomelatonin from plants and algae are analyzed, as well as the advantages of natural melatonin, avoiding unwanted chemical by-products from the chemical synthesis of melatonin. Finally, the economic and quality aspects of these new products, some of which are already marketed, are analyzed.

Melatonin, a natural antioxidant therapy in spinal cord injury

“…Initially, melatonin is extracted from the pineal gland and urine; currently, all melatonin used in clinic is obtained from chemical methods, such as the prolonged melatonin preparation (Circadin ® ) and the synthesized ligand agonist to both MT 1 and MT 2 (agomelatine, ramelteon, and tasimelteon) (Wang Q. et al, 2022). The technological breakthrough, obtaining biological melatonin from microbes, algae, and plants, has been achieved a few years ago (Arnao et al, 2023). Notably, the microorganisms, including the genetically modified Saccharomyces and Escherichia coli and microbial fermentation Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Enterococcus sp., and Streptococcus thermophilus, haven been employed to produce melatonin industrially in bioreactors (Arnao et al, 2023).…”

“…The technological breakthrough, obtaining biological melatonin from microbes, algae, and plants, has been achieved a few years ago (Arnao et al, 2023). Notably, the microorganisms, including the genetically modified Saccharomyces and Escherichia coli and microbial fermentation Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Enterococcus sp., and Streptococcus thermophilus, haven been employed to produce melatonin industrially in bioreactors (Arnao et al, 2023). Despite the development of the chemical and biological melatonergic ligands, the in vivo stability and subtype selectivity, especially the MT 1 selective drug, are yet to be solved (Boutin et al, 2020).…”

Melatonin Prevents Alcohol- and Metabolic Dysfunction- Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Mitigating Gut Dysbiosis, Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, and Endotoxemia

“…In general, the Mediterranean Diet also contains MT, but it should be noted that foods have certain health benefits via the synergistic effects of the combination of compounds in their composition [12]. MT may even be produced by human commensal bacteria, as reviewed [3][4][5]19,20].…”

Potensi Efek Terapeutik Suplementasi Melatonin Terhadap Perbaikan Penyakit Gagal Jantung

“…Salah satu manfaat melatonin eksogen yang paling dikenal di kalangan umum saat ini adalah untuk mengatasi masalah sulit tidur. Sintesis melatonin eksogen dari bahan alami diperkirakan semakin relevan menjadi target produksi dan konsumsi sebagai suplemen [12]. Tren penggunaan melatonin eksogen dengan dosis di atas 5 mg/hari di Amerika Serikat diketahui meningkat secara signifikan dari waktu ke waktu.…”