<i>Pistacia atlantica</i> as an inexpensive source of melatonin

Abstract

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