A straightforward procedure to biosynthesise melatonin using freshly chopped Achillea millefolium L. as reagent

d, l-Tryptophan as the precursor and Achillea millefolium L. as the plant cell tissue were used in order to enhance the production of melatonin in the freshly chopped plant material. After extraction, the melatonin content was evaluated by LC-DAD-ESI-MS. The yield of melatonin was at least six times the amount generally produced in the cultivated A. millefolium L. young plants.