The potential of banana as a natural dietary source of tryptophan and melatonin

Banana fruit has a high endogenous tryptophan concentration, is potentially a good natural source of dietary melatonin, a compound associated with sleep induction in humans.
By quantifying the analytes using ultra-high performance liquid-chromatography with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), this study aimed to find the highest melatonin and tryptophan content throughout the banana ripening stages and to evaluate the impact of the ripening state of the fruit on the melatonin and tryptophan concentration.
Among Musa acuminata L. AA group ‘Sucrier’ (PNG208), Musa acuminata L. AAB group ‘Maia Maoli/Popoulu’ (AI01), and Musa acuminata L. AAB group ‘Pome’ (LF01), we found the highest concentration of tryptophan in yellow PNG208 (341.56±22.37) and melatonin (48.73±12.61 ng g^‑1) in overripe PNG208. The results of PNG208 show the potential of developing a natural sleep-promoting product from bananas.
The ripening stage has a considerable impact on tryptophan and melatonin synthesis in bananas, while the changes vary from each cultivar, further investigation is needed in the future for optimizing banana breeding and cultivation practices for nutritional value.

XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): IX International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables – FAVHEALTH2022

M. Wu, T.J. O’Hare, V.D. Daygon, M. Fitzgerald

Musa acuminata L., sleep, dietary supplement, free amino acids, AccQ-tag, LC-MS/MS QTRAP^® 5500

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1407.9