Melatonin in Plants: Biosynthesis, Occurrence and Role in plants

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a pineal gland hormone, relatively little research has been done on it in this area up until 1995. It can be found in several plant species in different concentrations. Melatonin has even been proposed as nature’s most adaptable biological signal molecule due to its widespread distribution throughout all kingdoms. Since Hattori first discovered melatonin in plants, Numerous studies have been released, expanding the field of phytomelatonin i.e. melatonin generated from plants. Plants biosynthesize phytomelatonin from the precursor tryptophan. Because of their powerful antioxidant properties, the majority of herbs with high melatonin content have been utilised for centuries to treat neurological problems linked to the production of free radicals. This brief summary aims to give a general understanding of phytomelatonin, including information on its distribution, biosynthesis, potential roles in the regulation and growth, and abiotic stress management of plants.