HormonesMelatonin

A paper-based sensor using the modified Van Urk reaction accurately quantifies melatonin in pharmaceutical formulations

The study developed a paper-based microfluidic sensor for melatonin quantification in pharmaceutical formulations, using the modified Van Urk reaction that produces a blue color proportional to melatonin concentration. The sensor showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9915) over a range of 40-300 mg/L and performed well in quantifying melatonin in solid (0.22 mg/tablet) and liquid (0.20 mg/drop) formulations, with results comparable to liquid chromatography.

Last updated: Sep 1, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. μPADs for a Safer Night's Sleep: An Alternative for Quality Control of Melatonin Pharmaceutical Formulations.

observational

Ramos AJA, Brazaca LC, Rossini EL, Lima MJA, Carrilho E · ACS omega (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Paper-based sensor with modified Van Urk reaction for melatonin detection
Outcome: Melatonin concentration in pharmaceutical formulations (solid and liquid), linearity, specificity against excipients
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Pharmaceutical formulations (solid tablets and liquid drops) containing melatonin

Result:

PubMed: 42662326DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c03837

Mechanism Graph

Sample containing melatonin is applied to the paper sensor
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Modified Van Urk reaction occurs on the paper surface
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Color changes from white to blue, intensity proportional to melatonin concentration
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Color intensity is correlated with melatonin concentration for quantification

Limitations

  • ⚠The study is a proof-of-concept; no validation on real patient samples or clinical settings
  • ⚠The sensor's performance was only tested on a limited number of formulations, and the effect of potential interfering substances (e.g., other hormones) was not fully explored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the modified Van Urk reaction?▼

It is a chemical reaction that produces a color change (from white to blue) when melatonin is present, allowing for colorimetric detection and quantification.

What is the detection range of the paper-based sensor?▼

The sensor demonstrated good linearity over a melatonin concentration range of 40-300 mg/L.

How does the sensor compare to standard methods like liquid chromatography?▼

The sensor's results were comparable to those obtained by liquid chromatography, with a maximum standard deviation within acceptable limits, suggesting it could be a low-cost alternative for quality control.

What are the potential applications of this sensor?▼

It can be used for quality control of melatonin pharmaceutical formulations, ensuring accurate dosage and detecting potential contamination, which is important for safety.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Ramos AJA, Brazaca LC, Rossini EL, Lima MJA, Carrilho E. "μPADs for a Safer Night's Sleep: An Alternative for Quality Control of Melatonin Pharmaceutical Formulations.." ACS omega, 2026. PMID: 42662326 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c03837
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.