Somato^® tomato fruit extract: a novel and effective source of phytomelatonin

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Nutraland USA, Inc. brings plant-based, science-backed innovative actives to the nutraceutical and functional food and beverage markets. Here, CSO Dr. Gene Bruno explains why the sleep category's reliance on synthetic melatonin leaves a significant opportunity — and how a whole-food tomato extract is uniquely positioned to fill it.

Everyone is familiar with the sleep-promoting properties of melatonin. In fact, market research indicates melatonin dominates the sleep supplement category with roughly 35–44% market share, far exceeding other ingredients like valerian, magnesium, or L-theanine in the global market.¹ But did you know that, in addition to humans and animals, plants also produce melatonin as part of their  light/dark cycles? As a result, using patent-pending extraction technology, it has been possible to produce Somato^®, a tomato fruit extract yielding 5% phytomelatonin (i.e., melatonin from plants).

Aside from the obvious marketing appeal of whole-food / plant-derived ingredients, it has some advantages over the conventional, synthetic melatonin found in 98% of all melatonin supplements. As a natural tomato fruit extract, Somato^® also provides small amounts of other complementary entourage compounds including GABA and lycopene. By contrast, many synthetic melatonin products contain a range of accompanying chemical compounds produced during melatonin synthesis including “peak E”² which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome³. To be clear, there is such a tiny amount of peak E present in synthetic melatonin that it doesn’t really present a danger. Nevertheless, why settle for any peak E at all?

Also, in many countries’ melatonin is a prescription drug and not available as an over-the-counter supplement. However, as a tomato fruit extract, Somato^® has been accepted in many of these same countries which has opened up new markets for them. In addition, Somato^® is an upcycled ingredient utilizing tomato fruit pieces leftover from fresh food processors, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable product.

Chris Webb, MS, Senior Formulator & Innovator at New Chapter, Inc. explained his reason for choosing Somato^®: “At New Chapter, our mission is to deliver the Wisdom of Nature to nourish mind, body, and soul.  We spent years looking for a plant-derived melatonin option and were very happy to find Somato, a partner with similar values to New Chapter around key considerations including quality, certifications, efficacy, and cost.”

Somato^® is further validated by a 28-day, real-world pilot study examining key physiological and psychological domains associated with sleep quality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Twenty-two healthy men and women (mean age: 42 years) receiving 2 mg of phytomelatonin daily from Somato^® completed the study, which integrated objective biometric data from Oura ring wearable devices with validated participant-reported outcomes (e.g., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] and HRQoL using Short Form 36 Health Survey [SF-36]). Compared to baseline, results showed that participants were able to fall asleep 33% faster (p=0.005), spent less awake (p=0.002), had better sleep efficiency (p=0.011), and had an improved global PSQI score (p=0.025). Significant improvement was also demonstrated for emotional well-being (p=0.02). In conclusion, this pilot study found that 2 mg/day of phytomelatonin from Somato^® tomato extract improved physiological and psychological domains associated with sleep quality, autonomic function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Based on these positive pilot findings, Nutraland is currently in the process of conducting a larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial due to be completed in the second half of 2026.

Somato^® allows brands to offer a product that is as clean as it is effective. Beyond the clinical results, Somato^® delivers a suite of industry-leading advantages:

• Certified Transparency: Kosher, Halal and Vegan Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Alkemist Assured™.
• Formulation Excellence: Features a low effective dose and superior stability profile suitable for various dosage forms, from capsules and tablets to functional foods and beverages.
• Clean-Label and Eco-Friendly: Naturally free of major allergens, synthetic chemicals and ultra-processed ingredients, Somato^® is derived from upcycled tomato fruit, supporting both consumer health and a circular economy.

With Somato^®, manufacturers no longer must choose between "natural" and "effective"—they can provide a sustainable, scientifically validated solution that meets strict regulatory standards and consumer expectations alike.

If you’d like to learn more about Somato^® Tomato Fruit Extract, visit www.somato.cc or contact Nutraland USA at sales@nutralandusa.com.