The present invention relates to a method for biosynthesizing the
serotonin derivatives in plants, more particularly, a method for
biosynthesizing the serotonin derivatives characterized by treating
plants with inducers for serotonin derivative biosynthesis or by inducing
over-expression of tyramine N-(hydroxy cinnamoyl)transferase in plants.
The method of the present invention facilitates the production of
serotonin derivatives such as feruloylserotonin and coumaroylserotonin
that have activities of anticancer, anti-oxidation and promoting
bone-formation. The serotonin derivatives prepared by the method above
can be used either after being purified or as edible plants themselves.