Pistacia atlantica as an inexpensive source of melatonin

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Chemistry, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Melatonin is involved in regulation of circadian rhythm and alleviation of sleep disorders, such as insomnia
due to jet lag and shift work, as it plays a major role in synchronization of the sleep/wake cycle
Materials and methods: This study is devoted to extraction and determination of melatonin in Pistacia atlantica using an
ultrasound-assisted solid-liquid extraction (SLE) combined with UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The volume and type of extraction
solvent, sonication time, and extraction temperature on the extraction efficiency were optimized.
Results: Under optimum conditions, use of 30 mL of ethanol and 30 min sonication time caused to achieve the limit of
detection (LOD) of 0.047 ppm. The method accuracy was confirmed according to the calculation of recovery using standard
addition method that, exhibited the successful applicability of the present method for real sample analysis. In addition, the
obtained results were compared to those using gas chromatography/Mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Combination of SLE and
UV-Vis leads to greater sensitivity and lower cost for accurate and repeatable extraction of melatonin from Pistacia atlantica
with acceptable recovery and RSD% (1.04%).
Conclusion: Therefore, we efficiently extracted and purified of melatonin from an inexpensive source (Pistacia atlantica
fruit). The extracted melatonin can be replaced synthetic drugs.

Keywords