Serotonin the neurotransmitter

Serotonin i.e. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is said to be helping to relay signals from one area of the brain to another. However its primary functions are found in gastrointestinal tract as 90% of total serotonin is located in the enterochromaffin cells in the gut. 

Serotonin is made via a unique biochemical conversion process that begins with Tryptophan. Tryptophan is a building block to proteins. In the synthesis of serotonin, Tryptophan hydroxylase the enzyme combines with tryptophan to form 5-hydroxytryptophan metabolite that later converts to Serotonin.

Via wikipedia.org

As mentioned earlier serotonin helps to distribute messages across the brain. Brain cells related to mood, appetite, sleep, memory, learning, temperature regulation, sexual desire and some social behaviour are influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin due to the widespread distribution in the brain. 

It can also affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system, muscles, and various elements in the endocrine system.

When it comes to mental health, it is widely believed that a serotonin deficiency plays a role in depression but there is no way to measure its levels in the living brain. Therefore, there have not been any studies proving that brain levels of this or any neurotransmitter are in short supply when depression or any mental illness develops. People who suffer from depression shows lower serotonin levels in blood levels but still it is not revealed that whether the blood levels reflect the brain's level of serotonin.

Antidepressant medications such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) that work on serotonin levels are believed to lower the symptoms of depression, but their exact function is not fully understood.

Recent studies show that when the Mycobacterium vaccae, which occurs naturally in soil and is often breathed in when spending much time nature, is injected into mice, it stimulates neuron growth and causes serotonin levels in blood to increase. So that the bacteria could have antidepressant benefits but it is not yet revealed whether it has an effect on human.

Simple facts about Betalain

Betalains are alkaloid pigments which are found in some families of plants belonging to the order Caryophyllales, but in no other plants.

They are named after the Beet family of plants (Beta).

Betalains are not found in plants containing anthocyanin pigments. Structurally they are unrelated. Unlike anthocyanins, they are not pH indicators as their colour is stable over a wide range of pH.  They are oxidised over time going brown in colour. This can be prevented by 0.1% ascorbic acid.

They have also been found in some fungi too e.g. Fly Agaric (mushroom)

Betalains can be divided into two types as betacyanins and betaxanthins; based upon their molecular structure.

Betacyanins

Usually appear red to red violet in colour (absorbance in 535-550nm)

Betaxanthins

Usually appear yellow in colour (absorbance in 475-480nm)

Betalains are found in the vacuole and they are water-soluble.

Also they cause colour in both flowers, fruits and sometimes vegetative organs

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Beetroot contains 2 Betacyanins. Thay are Betanin and a derivative.

Not much is known about the role of betalains. Commercially they are sometimes used as food colourants. As a food dye it’s cheap and no all allergic side effects are figured out yet.

Basic structure of betalain