A literature research on melatonin with a focus on plant-based products

Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule found widely across the animal and vegetal kingdoms as well as in microorganisms. Melatonin has various advantages for human wellness, among which there are sleep regulation and enhancement of the body's antioxidant capabilities. Furthermore, this bioactive compound was originally identified in various plants and quantified in a large number of foods. Its regular intake, along with foods with high content of melatonin, provides several benefits to human health. Melatonin has been found to play an important function also in moderating the development of each plant lifecycle’s stage. The goal of the present thesis is to offer a general understanding of the role of melatonin in plant products, to highlight the determining elements (including the photoperiod, the variety, the exposure to agrochemicals and to stress factors) which affect its endogenous content and to understand the technological conditions which help its preservation in foods.