Chemical Information
C13H16N2O2
Percent Composition by Mass:
| Carbon | 67.22% |
| Hydrogen | 6.94% |
| Nitrogen | 12.06% |
| Oxygen |
13.78% |
Percent Composition by Number:
| Carbon | 39% |
| Hydrogen | 48% |
| Nitrogen | 6.06% |
| Oxygen | 6.06% |
Molar Mass: 232.8sg
Density in Natural State: 1.29g/cc
Melting Point: 116-188oC
Melatonin production in humans begins with tryptophan, an amino acid. Amino acids are the protein building blocks that our bodies use to make proteins. Proteins make up living organisms. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is derived from tryptophan. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages between cells. From a reaction with N-acetyltransferase enzyme and Serotonin, Melatonin is created. Melatonin functions by enabling the production and emission of other neurotransmitters. However, research is still being done to determine more exact details on what Melatonin affects and reacts with, hence all the theories and controversy.
(http://www.med.unibs.it/~marchesi/aminoacidderivatives.html)
WHAT IS MELATONIN HISTORY THE FACTS AND THE FICTION REFERENCES