• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.929-937
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• 2009

We identified volatile organic compounds in Korean Allium species. Volatile organic components in three Korean Allium species, dried garlic, dried onion, and dried Welsh onion, were extracted using a simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) method and identified by GC/MS analysis. The numbers of volatile compounds were 48, 32, and 33 in the three species, respectively. In dried onion, the major compounds were dipropyl trisulfide, methyl propyl trisulfide, and propanethiol. (Z), (E)-propenyl propyl trisulfide, methyl propyl trisulfide, and dipropyl trisulfide were detected at high levels in Welsh onion. In dried garlic, presence of the allyl group identified characteristic volatile organosulfur compounds including diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds in three Korean Allium species showed that sulfur-containing compounds were dominant, and allyl groups derived from (+)-S-(2-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ALLYL CSO, alliin) were more abundant in dried garlic, than in other materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.138-146
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• 2009

Garlic (Allium sativum) are an agronomically important genus because of their sulfur flavour components. The majority of the volatiles flavour principles are generated through the enzymatic hydrolysis of the non-volatile organosulfur compounds. However, these compounds may be possible sources of new novel bioacuve and therapeutic principles. Garlic has strong antioxidant activity, and epidemiological studies support the fad that diets rich of garlic may prevent some of the chronic diseases. The health cares of garlic likely arise from a wide variety of components, which may work synergistically. The chemical changes of garlic composition makes it plausible that a variation in processing can lead to acquisition of differential chemical compositions of garlic products. Especially highly unstable allicin can easily disappear during processing and are quickly transformed into a various organosulfur compounds. Various supplements of garlic, particularly aged garlic extract (AGE), are known to possess a promising antioxidant potential and are effective in prevention of chronic diseases because of the bioactive constituents. Although all of active ingredients of AGE are not elucidated, water-soluble components of AGE, including S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptane, steroid saponins, tetrahydro-${\beta}$-carboline derivatives, and fructosyl-arginine, appears to be associated with the pharmacological effects of AGE. Consequently, the allicin free garlic components such as S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptane, steroid saponins, tetrahydro-${\beta}$-carboline derivatives, and fructosyl-arginine can be applicable to standardization of the quality of commercial garlic products. This review provides an insight into garlic's biomarkers and presents evidence that they may either prevent or delay chronic disease associated with aging.