Dietary intake of melatonin from tropical fruit altered urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in healthy volunteers

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jan 30;61(4):913-9. doi: 10.1021/jf300359a. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Abstract

This study assessed the melatonin content of six tropical fruits and examined whether human consumption could contribute to dietary melatonin as measured by 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6-s, a marker of circulating melatonin in the body). Melatonin was extracted using methanol and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In a clinical crossover study, 30 healthy volunteers consumed selected fruits one at a time, with a 1week wash-out period between fruits, until completing all six fruits. Most fruits had moderate melatonin content. Significant increases in urine aMT6-s concentrations were seen after the consumption of pineapple (266%, p = 0.004), banana (180%, p = 0.001), and orange (47%, p = 0.007). The need to analyze melatonin both in fruit and as in vivo uptake was demonstrated. Further study is warranted regarding the clinical effect of fruit consumption in people with age-related melatonin reduction problems such as sleeplessness and illnesses involving oxidative damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ananas / chemistry
  • Citrus sinensis* / chemistry
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet*
  • Female
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melatonin / administration & dosage*
  • Melatonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Melatonin / urine
  • Musa / chemistry
  • Tropical Climate
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • 6-sulfatoxymelatonin
  • Melatonin