Melatonin | CAS 73-31-4 | Pineal Hormone Indoleamine (Research Use Only) | Knowlux

Product Summary

Knowlux supplies melatonin as a synthetic indoleamine reference material for laboratory research, assay calibration and formulation pre-studies. The substance is an N-acetylated, 5-methoxylated derivative of serotonin and is the principal hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder, poorly soluble in water but freely soluble in ethanol and DMSO. Each consignment ships with a batch-tied analytical file (COA, SDS, chromatograms and origin documentation) so the material can be traced from container to bench.

Specification Sheet

Structural and Stability Notes

Melatonin is built on an indole core bearing a 5-methoxy group and an N-acetylated ethylamine side chain. The methoxy-indole moiety is the chromophore and the structural feature most susceptible to oxidative degradation; the N-acetyl group distinguishes melatonin from its precursor serotonin and is the reason the molecule is not a substrate for rapid monoamine oxidase cleavage.

Three practical consequences follow:

Photolability. Melatonin degrades on exposure to light, with a shift toward discolouration indicating oxidative decomposition. Amber glass and light-protected storage are functional requirements.

Aqueous solubility is poor. The compound is practically insoluble in water, which means in vitro work typically requires ethanol or DMSO stock solutions. Aqueous dilution should be performed immediately before use, with the final organic content kept within assay tolerance.

Oxidative sensitivity. The indole ring is susceptible to oxidation, particularly in alkaline solution or in the presence of trace metals. Stock solutions should be kept neutral to mildly acidic and prepared fresh.

Analytical Release

Each batch is released with the chromatogram set generated for that lot, not a generic specification sheet.

Handling and Storage

Keep containers tightly closed, protected from light, and stored cold. Working solutions in ethanol or DMSO should be prepared fresh and protected from light; aqueous dilutions should be used immediately. Discolouration toward yellow or brown indicates oxidative degradation. Sealed, light-protected storage at -20 C supports the retest period stated on the COA.

Research Applications

• Certified reference material for melatonin quantification in plasma, saliva and food matrices

• Melatonin receptor binding and functional assay development (MT1/MT2)

• Circadian rhythm and sleep research model calibration

• Antioxidant and free radical scavenging assay studies

• Formulation stability screening for indoleamine actives

• Analytical method validation for HPLC and LC-MS platforms

Documentation and Traceability

Each lot is released against its own file: certificate of analysis with raw chromatograms, safety data sheet, certificate of origin, residual-solvent statement (on request), and a stability/retest note. Method-transfer packages and supplier audit support are available project by project.

Packing and Dispatch

Primary containment: amber glass vial or high-barrier aluminium pouch with tamper-evident seal. Secondary containment: light-blocking carton with desiccant. Shipments leave Hubei within the quoted lead time, ambient by default, with cold packs where route or season requires. Export documents (invoice, packing list, COA, SDS, origin certificate) are prepared before dispatch.

About Knowlux

Knowlux Biotechnology operates from Hubei, China, as a GMP-oriented supplier of peptides, active substances and fine-chemical research compounds. Customers include academic laboratories, CDMOs, formulation developers and distributors in more than 40 countries. Beyond catalogue supply, we handle custom synthesis, bespoke pack sizes and documentation packages built to a client's audit template.

Compliance and Use Restriction

This material is released strictly for laboratory research use. It must not be administered to humans or animals, must not be used in diagnosis or therapy, and is not offered for retail, personal or household use.

Melatonin is regulated differently across jurisdictions: in the EU it is permitted as a food supplement with a health claim for reduction of time to fall asleep at 1 mg per portion; in the US the FDA classifies exogenous melatonin as a dietary supplement, a designation that does not require pre-market efficacy or safety data; in China it is listed in the Health Food Raw Materials Catalogue. Those regulatory positions attach to compliant food- and supplement-grade supply chains and do not apply to, and are not represented by, this research-grade lot.

Statements describing published research are scientific background only. They are not medical advice, not a health claim, and not dosing or therapeutic guidance.