IRVINE, CALIF.  — Nutraland USA, Inc. has launched Somato, melatonin sourced from tomatoes. The ingredient may be used as an alternative to synthetic melatonin in functional foods and dietary supplements, according to the company.

Somato is formulated from whole, dried tomatoes and features compounds such as lycopene, an antioxidant.

"Although the popularity of whole-food-derived nutrients has been growing exponentially, heretofore the natural products industry has relied primarily on synthetically produced melatonin for use in dietary supplements,” said Gene Bruno, chief scientific officer. “Now, with the introduction of Somato into the marketplace, Nutraland USA is able to offer the natural products industry a truly natural and sustainable, whole-food-derived melatonin from tomatoes."