Effect of Fruit Elicitation With Melatonin on Human Health

This clinical trial will investigate whether melatonin treatments in fruits can improve the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in humans. Melatonin is a natural molecule with antioxidant and protective properties. Its preharvest application has been shown to enhance postharvest fruit quality and raise the levels of phenolic compounds such as flavanones and anthocyanins. However, it is not yet known whether these changes in fruit composition result in greater absorption and metabolism of these compounds in humans after fruit consumption. The central hypothesis is that melatonin-treated fruits will show increased concentrations of bioactive compounds and melatonin, leading to higher bioavailability and urinary excretion of these compounds and their metabolites compared to untreated fruits. This would provide evidence that a sustainable agronomic practice can enhance not only fruit quality but also its nutritional and functional value for human health.

The study will follow a randomized acute crossover design with 20 healthy adult participants. Volunteers will consume juices prepared from melatonin-treated or untreated lemons, blood oranges, and sweet cherries under fasting conditions. Each participant will act as their own control, with a washout period of 15 days between interventions. To reduce variability, participants will follow a controlled low-phenolic and low-melatonin diet for three days before each test day. On the intervention day, urine samples will be collected before juice intake and at several time intervals over the following 24 hours (0-3.5 h, 3.5-12 h, and 12-24 h). Samples will be analyzed to determine the excretion of phenolic compounds, melatonin, and their metabolites, normalized by total urine volume. Fruits will be characterized using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and the same methodology will be applied to urine samples to provide precise and reliable quantification.

This project is of high scientific, social, and economic interest. From a scientific perspective, it will generate new knowledge about the bioavailability of bioactive compounds from melatonin-treated fruits, addressing a current gap in the understanding of how preharvest treatments influence not only fruit quality but also the absorption and metabolism of phenolics and melatonin in humans. These results may open new research avenues on the impact of sustainable agricultural strategies on human nutrition and health. From a social perspective, the study is aligned with increasing concerns about metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and with consumer demand for healthier foods. Understanding how to optimize the bioavailability of beneficial compounds through preharvest practices could promote dietary patterns that support better health. From an economic perspective, the trial focuses on fruits with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), such as Valencian citrus and Alicante cherries. Demonstrating added nutritional and functional value through melatonin treatments could raise the competitiveness and market appeal of these products, supporting producers and the agro-food sector.

The feasibility of the study is guaranteed by access to the necessary resources and infrastructure. The fruits will be sourced from PGI-certified orchards in the Valencian Community, cultivated under conventional practices, and harvested at commercial maturity to ensure optimal quality. Melatonin treatments will be applied using manual sprayers at key stages of fruit development. The human intervention will take place at the Miguel Hernández University (UMH), where facilities are available to conduct the study and handle biological samples. Urine will be collected and stored at -80 °C until analysis to preserve sample integrity. The analytical laboratory is fully equipped with UHPLC and tandem mass spectrometry systems and has validated protocols for phenolic and melatonin analysis, developed in previous studies by the research team. The investigators have extensive experience in plant bioactives, fruit physiology, and human nutrition, ensuring proper execution of the project.

In summary, this study is innovative, multidisciplinary, and highly feasible. It will provide important insights at the intersection of agriculture, food science, and human health, with potential benefits for society, the scientific community, and the agro-food industry.