Another grape excuse to hit the bottle - melatonin

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Public release date: 16-Jun-2006

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/soci-age061406.php

Contact: s

lisa.richards@...

44-8

Society of Chemical Industry

Another grape excuse to hit the bottle

NOTE: The embargo has been lifted for this press release.

Scientists in Italy say they have discovered that the grapes used to

make some of the most popular red wines contain high levels of the sleep

hormone melatonin. (Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture DOI

10.1002/jsfa2537). Melatonin is naturally secreted by the pineal gland

in the brain, especially at night. It tells the body when it is time to

sleep.

The discovery of melatonin in grape skin could explain why so many of us

hit the bottle in the evening to wind down after a day's hard slog. 'The

melatonin content in wine could help regulate the circadian rhythm

[sleep-wake patterns], just like the melatonin produced by the pineal

gland in mammals,' says researcher Iriti Marcello at the University of

Milan.

Until recently, melatonin was thought to be exclusively produced by

mammals but has recently been discovered in plants. It is thought to

have antioxidant properties. Iriti's study discovered high levels of

melatonin in Nebbolo, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Sangiovesse and

Croatina grape varieties.

Iriti's team have also shown that melatonin content can be enhanced in

grapes by treating vines with a plant vaccine Benzothiadiazole.

Wurtman of the brain and cognitive science department at MIT is

unconvinced, however, and believes further research is needed to

determine whether the compounds discovered are melatonin, or something

very similar.

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Additional Contact Information: 44-

lis.rc.richards@...

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