Allium Species in the Balkan Region—Major Metabolites, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

Ever since ancient times, Allium species have played a significant role in the human diet, traditional medicine for treatment of many ailments, and officinal as supplemental ingredient. The major metabolites alliums, well their antioxidant antimicrobial properties, with an emphasis on most represented Balkan region, are discussed this review. Due to its richness endemic species, region is considered genocenter alliums. There 56 recorded Balkans, 17 them endemic. common well-studied Balkans A. cepa (onion), sativum (garlic), ampeloprasum (leek), schoenoprasum (chives), fistulosum (Welsh onion), ursinum (wild garlic or bear’s garlic), which known pungent taste smell, especially noticeable onion, attributed various organosulfur compounds. These plants valued macronutrients used desirable vegetables spices. Additionally, phytochemicals such compounds, phenolics, fatty acids, saponins associated properties these among other bioactivities. All parts plant including bulb, peel, clove, leaf, pseudostem, root, flower, seed exhibit different vitro assays. characteristic phytocompounds that contribute activity alliums include allicin, ajoene, allyl alcohol, some diallyl sulfides. Nanoparticles synthesized using also recognized notable properties.