Melatonin scavenges phenylglyoxylic ketyl radicals.
The antioxidant properties of melatonin were tested in this work by EPR technique. It was found that melatonin scavenges phenylglyoxylic ketyl radicals. Its effectiveness was 10-times lower than that of vitamin C. A new method of generation of phenylglyoxylic ketyl radicals by spontaneous decomposition of D,L-2,3-diphenyltartaric acid in propan-2-ol was used.
Melatonin and the Pineal Gland
&NA; The pineal gland is an enigma within the central nervous system that appears to exert tremendous control over the homeostatic mechanisms of the body. In the animal kingdom, the pineal gland and the hormone it produces, melatonin, regulate circadian rhythms, sleep‐wake cycles, thermal and immunologic systems, and reproductive capability. Human research has demonstrated that the pineal gland also plays a role in sleep disturbances, menstrual and reproductive irregularities, psychological and behavioral disorders, and may even serve as a tumor inhibitory gland. Although research is still in the early stages, it is apparent that the pineal gland and melatonin have widespread effects and optimal functioning of the pineal gland is essential to our well‐being.
Relationships Between Food Preferences and Food Acceptance Ratings
A study was conducted to assess relationships between food preference ratings and food acceptability ratings. Acceptability ratings for each of two discriminably different samples of nine food items were obtained using the 9-point hedonic scale. Regression analysis indicated that no linear relationship existed between these ratings and either hedonic or frequency preference ratings of the foods. In addition, the range of acceptability ratings was smaller than the range of corresponding’preference ratings. Panelists’expressed preferences had no effect on their assignment of differential acceptance ratings to different samples of the items. Correlations between preference ratings of laboratory panelists and military field panelists were good, in spite of higher absolute preference ratings assigned by the laboratory panel.