Plants of the Allium genus, for example garlic and onion, are relatively odourless as long as they are intact. But if they are crushed or cut, a bunch of strong aromas are released. This is the result of a reaction between the enzyme alliinase and its substrates, alk(en)yl cysteine derivatives, probably as a defence against pests (Ellmore et al., 1994; Ankri et al., 1999). This occurs after cel...

Allium vegetables have been employed for a long time in traditional medical practice to treat a variety of diseases. Onion (Allium cepa L.), one of the representative Allium vegetables, has been used for centuries for its pungency, flavoring value, and medicinal properties. The bulb of onion is used medicinally and has been consumed as seasoning food for many centuries (Sengupta et al., 2004). ...

Antimicrobial activity of different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 300 and 500ml/l) of essential oil extracts of three type of onions (green, yellow and red) and garlic against two bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmomella Enteritidis, and three fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium cyclopium and Fusarium oxysporum, was investigated. The essential oil (EO) extracts of these Allium plants (garl...

Garlic, Alliumsativum, is broadly used around the world for its numerous culinary and medicinal uses. Wild garlic, Allium vineale, has been used as a substitute for garlic, both in food as well as in herbal medicine. The present study investigated the chemical compositions of A. sativum and A. vineale essential oils. The essential oils from the bulbs of A. sativum, cultivated in Spain, were obt...

To screen the wound healing activity of different extracts of Allium cepa L. in excision, incision and dead space wound models in albino rats. The tubers of Allium cepa L. (Family Liliaceae) were exhaustively defatted with petroleum ether (40-60C) and the marc was subjected to continuous extraction with solvent ether, chloroform, alcohol and chloroform water I.P. All the extracts were tested fo...

Epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggest that allium vegetables and garlic constituents have antitumor effects. In a population-based, case-control study conducted in Shanghai, China, we investigated the association between intake of allium vegetables, including garlic, scallions, onions, chives, and leeks, and the risk of prostate cancer. We administered in-person interviews and collected ...

Here, we report a comparative study of the phytochemical profile and the biological activity of two onion extracts, namely Allium cepa L. and Allium × cornutum (Clementi ex Visiani 1842), members of the family Amaryllidaceae. The identification of flavonoids and anthocyanins, and their individual quantities, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The potency of both ex...

Purple blotch, caused by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cifferi, is a serious disease incurring heavy yield losses in the bulb and seed crop of onion and garlic worldwide. There is an immediate need for identification of effective resistance sources for use in host resistance breeding. A total of 43 Allium genotypes were screened for purple blotch resistance under field conditions. Allium cepa access...

Allium sp. vegetables are widely consumed for their characteristic flavour. Additionally, their consumption may provide protection against cardiovascular disease due to their antiplatelet and antioxidant activities. Although antiplatelet and antioxidant activities in Allium sp. are generally recognised, comparative studies of antiplatelet and antioxidant potency among the main Allium vegetable ...