Morphological and molecular characterization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes sampled from Turkey

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Garlic is a vegetable widely used both in food and as a pharmaceutical raw material in the world due to its contents. Although morphological differences are...     

Isolation and identification of organosulfur compounds oxidizing canine erythrocytes from garlic (Allium sativum)

Five compounds oxidizing canine erythrocytes were isolated from an aqueous ethanol garlic extract by silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, they were identified as three known compounds: bis-2-propenyl trisulfide (1), bis-2-propenyl tetrasulfide (2), and bis-2-propenyl pentasulfide (3) as well as two novel compounds, bis-2-propenyl thiosulfonate (4) and trans-sulfuric acid allyl ester 3-allylsulfanyl-allyl ester (5). A mixture of compounds 1-3 and compounds 4 and 5 induced methemoglobin formation in canine erythrocyte suspension in vitro resulting in the oxidation of canine erythrocytes. These groups of characteristic organosulfur compounds contained in garlic probably contribute to oxidations in blood. The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocytes and hemoglobin, suggesting that foods containing quantities of garlic should be avoided for feeding dogs.     

Effect of boron sources on garlic (Allium sativum L.) productivity

A previously unknown requirement for B by garlic (var. Chiang Mai) has been identified at San Pa tong Rice Experiment Station, Chiang Mai Province. Field experiments were conducted following rice cultivation on major soils (Typic Tropaqualfs) in the northern parts of Thailand. Various sources of B fertilizers such as borax, coal fly ash, and fritted trace elements were applied to the soil to compare their effectiveness in alleviating the B deficiency in garlic. The findings indicated that all of the sources used promoted plant productivity from 24 to 40% compared with the untreated plants. The highest yield (6.13 t ha^-1) was obtained in a treatment with coal fly ash at 825 g B ha^-1. The average size and weight of garlic cloves from this treatment were also the highest. However, in terms of storage, the application of B with other trace elements was found to be preferable.     

Increase in the permeability of tonoplast of garlic (Allium sativum) by monocarboxylic acids

Immersion of intact aged garlic (Allium sativum) cloves in a series of 5% weak organic monocarboxylate solutions (pH 2.0) resulted in green color formation. No color was formed upon treatment with other weak organic acids, such as citric and malic acids, and the inorganic hydrochloric acid under the same conditions. To understand the significance of monocarboxylic acids and their differing function from that of other acids, acetic acid was compared with organic acids citric and malic and the inorganic hydrochloric acid. The effects of these acids on the permeability of plasma and intracellular membrane of garlic cells were measured by conductivity, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Except for hydrochloric acid, treatment of garlic with all three organic acids greatly increased the relative conductivity of their respective pickling solutions, indicating that all tested organic acids increased the permeability of plasma membrane. Moreover, a pickling solution containing acetic acid exhibited 1.5-fold higher relative conductivity (approximately 90%) as compared to those (approximately 60%) of both citric and malic acids, implying that exposure of garlic cloves to acetic acid not only changed the permeability of the plasma membrane but also increased the permeability of intracellular membrane. Exposure of garlic to acetic acid led to the production of precipitate along the tonoplast, but no precipitate was formed by citric and malic acids. This indicates that the structure of the tonoplast was damaged by this treatment. Further support for this conclusion comes from results showing that the concentration of thiosulfinates [which are produced only by catalytic conversion of S-alk(en)yl-l-cysteine sulfoxides in cytosol by alliinase located in the vacuole] in the acetic acid pickling solution is 1.3 mg/mL, but almost no thiosulfinates were detected in the pickling solution of citric and malic acids. Thus, all present results suggest that damage of tonoplast by treatment with monocarboxylates such as acetic acid may be the main reason for the greening of garlic.     

Effect of genetic characteristics and environmental factors on organosulfur compounds in garlic ( Allium sativum L.) grown in Andalusia, Spain

The content of organosulfur compounds was determined in selected garlic cultivars grown at four locations in Andalusia, Spain. The organosulfur compounds studied were three γ-glutamyl peptides, namely, γ-l-glutamyl-S-(2-propenyl)-l-cysteine (GSAC), γ-l-glutamyl-S-(trans-1-propenyl)-l-cysteine (GSPC), and γ-l-glutamyl-S-methyl-l-cysteine (GSMC), and four cysteine sulfoxides (alliin, isoalliin, methiin, and cycloalliin). There was a significant effect of the location, cultivar, and garlic ecotype on individual organosulfur compound contents. Purple-type cultivars showed on average the highest contents of GSMC, GSAC, alliin, and methiin but the lowest isoalliin content. The impact of genotype was relatively high for GSAC, whereas this factor hardly contributed to the total variability in alliin and isoalliin content. Planting date had a significant effect on the content of alliin and isoalliin. Discriminant analysis evidenced the ability of organosulfur compounds to distinguish among garlic bulbs from different locations or ecotypes with 81 or 86% accuracy, respectively.     

Dose-dependent influence of commercial garlic (Allium sativum) on rats fed cholesterol-containing diet

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the dose-dependent influence of commercial garlic on rats fed cholesterol-containing diets. It was found that commercial garlic contains high concentrations of dietary fibers, microelements, and total polyphenols, and its total antioxidant capacity as determined by two independent assays [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)] was similar to that of the original garlic samples. Wistar rats (35) were randomly divided into five diet groups, named control, Chol, Garlic500, Garlic750, and Garlic1000. Control rats were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, and vitamin and mineral mixtures. To the BD of the Chol group was added 1% of cholesterol. To the BD of the other three groups (Garlic500, Garlic750, and Garlic1000) were added 1% of cholesterol and commercial garlic equal to 500, 750, and 1000 mg of raw garlic per kilogram of animal weight. After 4 weeks of the experiment only in rats from the Garlic500 group were a significant hindering in the rise in plasma lipids and also a significant hindering in a decrease of plasma antioxidant activity registered. A significant decrease in plasma circulating fibrinogen and an increase in the clotting time were found in the same group of rats (P < 0.05 in both cases). The fibrinogenolytic effect of garlic diets was visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the fibrinogen fraction of Garlic500 the 66, 24, and 14 kDa protein bands were detected with weaker protein intensity than in the corresponding ones in the Garlic750 and Garlic1000 diet groups. In conclusion, the positive influences of commercial garlic on plasma lipids, proteins, antioxidant activity, and some indices of blood coagulation are dose-dependent. Therefore, commercial garlic (Elena, Zelazków, Poland) could be a valuable component of atherosclerosis-preventing diets only in optimal doses.     

Determination of the country of origin of garlic (Allium sativum) using trace metal profiling

A method for determining the country of origin of garlic by comparing the trace metal profile of the sample to an authentic garlic database is presented. Protocols for sample preparation, high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and multivariate statistics are provided. The criteria used for making a country of origin prediction are also presented. Indications are that the method presented here may be used to determine the geographic origin of other agricultural products.     

The 26S proteasome in garlic (Allium sativum): purification and partial characterization

The 26S proteasome (multicatalytic protease complex, MPC) was purified from fresh garlic cloves (Allium sativum) to near homogeneity by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-sephacel, gel filtration on Sepharose-4B, and glycerol density gradient centrifugation. Two alpha-type (20S proteasome "catalytic core") subunits were identified by the direct sequencing of peptide fragments (mass fingerprint analysis, Mass Spectrometry Lab, Stanford University) or the sequencing of a cloned cDNA generated using a garlic cDNA library as the template; these subunits were found to have a high homology to those from other plants. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions separated the garlic MPC into multiple polypeptides having molecular masses in the range of 21-35 (components of the 20S catalytic core) and 55-100 kDa (components of the 19S regulatory units). The banding pattern of the garlic MCP is similar to that of spinach and rat liver with minor differences in some components; however, polyclonal antibodies against mammalian proteasomes failed to significantly stain the enzyme from garlic. This is the first work to identify the garlic proteasome.     

Comparing costs for different conservation strategies of garlic (Allium sativum L.) germplasm in genebanks

The maintenance of plant genetic resources in living plant collections (genebanks) causes costs due to employment of staff, usage of buildings, equipment and consumables. Since this is especially challenging in vegetatively propagated material, studies were performed for the case of garlic, which is one of the major vegetatively maintained crops in the genebank of IPK Gatersleben. Data were recorded to compare various scenarios of the main strategies field maintenance and cryopreservation. A spreadsheet tool was developed to be used for cost assessment and for drawing conclusions concerning the most effective way of maintenance. Field culture is cheaper in the short term, whereas after a break-even point cryopreservation becomes the more efficient storage method in the long term. This break-even point depends on the particular scenario, which is determined by various factors such as field and in vitro multiplication rates of various genotypes, presence of bulbils in a part of the genepool, the sample size of the accessions as well as the number of stored accessions in cryopreservation. The comparative discussion is exemplified for a 1-year field rotation versus cryopreservation using either in vitro plantlets or a combination of bulbils and unripe inflorescence bases as organ sources. For the more expensive use of in vitro plants cryopreservation becomes less costly than field culture only after 13 years, whereas this is the case already after 8–9 years when using a combination of bulbils in winter and inflorescence bases in summer.     

Effect of cooking on garlic (Allium sativum L.) antiplatelet activity and thiosulfinates content

The raw form of garlic and some of its preparations are widely recognized as antiplatelet agents that may contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Herein, we examined the in-vitro antiaggregatory activity (IVAA) of human blood platelets induced by extracts of garlic samples that were previously heated (in the form of crushed versus uncrushed cloves) using different cooking methods and intensities. The concentrations of allicin and pyruvate, two predictors of antiplatelet strength, were also monitored. Oven-heating at 200 degrees C or immersing in boiling water for 3 min or less did not affect the ability of garlic to inhibit platelet aggregation (as compared to raw garlic), whereas heating for 6 min completely suppressed IVAA in uncrushed, but not in previously crushed, samples. The latter samples had reduced, yet significant, antiplatelet activity. Prolonged incubation (more than 10 min) at these temperatures completely suppressed IVAA. Microwaved garlic had no effect on platelet aggregation. However, increasing the concentration of garlic juice in the aggregation reaction had a positive IVAA dose response in crushed, but not in uncrushed, microwaved samples. The addition of raw garlic juice to microwaved uncrushed garlic restored a full complement of antiplatelet activity that was completely lost without the garlic addition. Garlic-induced IVAA was always associated with allicin and pyruvate levels. Our results suggest that (1) allicin and thiosulfinates are responsible for the IVAA response, (2) crushing garlic before moderate cooking can reduce the loss of activity, and (3) the partial loss of antithrombotic effect in crushed-cooked garlic may be compensated by increasing the amount consumed.     

大蒜种瓣机械压变处理对其出苗及生长的影响（英文）

为探明大蒜种瓣机械压变处理对大蒜出苗及生长的影响规律,以东北白皮蒜为研究对象,利用万能物理试验机对大蒜种瓣进行横向施压（大蒜种瓣平放受压）和纵向施压（大蒜种瓣直立受压）,以受压变形量与原基本尺寸比值的百分数来表示受压程度,2个方向受压程度为5%～45%,取一组未处理的大蒜种瓣作为对照。将处理后的大蒜种瓣与对照进行播种试验,探索机械压变处理对大蒜出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度的影响,通过回归分析得出植株茎粗与施压程度之间的回归模型,并进行植株高度与施压程度之间的相关性分析。试验结果表明,与未处理的大蒜种瓣相比,横向受压中,受压程度为10%～45%时,机械压变对大蒜种瓣出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度有显著影响（P<0.05）,其中受压程度为10%～25%的大蒜种瓣出苗时间短于对照,出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度均大于未处理的大蒜种瓣;在纵向受压中,受压程度为10%～45%时,机械压变对大蒜种瓣出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度有显著影响（P<0.05）;其中受压程度为10%～15%时,大蒜种瓣出苗时间均长于对照,出苗率和植株茎粗均大于未处理的大蒜种瓣。相比纵向机械压变处理,横向机械压变处理的大蒜出苗快,相同压缩条件下,大蒜的各项指标更优。植株茎粗与施压程度之间的回归模型拟合较好（R≥0.91）,植株高度与施压程度之间的相关性显著(P<0.05)。     

大蒜种瓣机械压变处理对其出苗及生长的影响

为探明大蒜种瓣机械压变处理对大蒜出苗及生长的影响规律,以东北白皮蒜为研究对象,利用万能物理试验机对大蒜种瓣进行横向施压(大蒜种瓣平放受压)和纵向施压(大蒜种瓣直立受压),以受压变形量与原基本尺寸比值的百分数来表示受压程度,2个方向受压程度为5%～45%,取一组未处理的大蒜种瓣作为对照。将处理后的大蒜种瓣与对照进行播种试验,探索机械压变处理对大蒜出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度的影响,通过回归分析得出植株茎粗与施压程度之间的回归模型,并进行植株高度与施压程度之间的相关性分析。试验结果表明,与未处理的大蒜种瓣相比,横向受压中,受压程度为10%～45%时,机械压变对大蒜种瓣出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度有显著影响(P0.05),其中受压程度为10%～25%的大蒜种瓣出苗时间短于对照,出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度均大于未处理的大蒜种瓣;在纵向受压中,受压程度为10%～45%时,机械压变对大蒜种瓣出苗天数、出苗率、植株茎粗和植株高度有显著影响(P0.05);其中受压程度为10%～15%时,大蒜种瓣出苗时间均长于对照,出苗率和植株茎粗均大于未处理的大蒜种瓣。相比纵向机械压变处理,横向机械压变处理的大蒜出苗快,相同压缩条件下,大蒜的各项指标更优。植株茎粗与施压程度之间的回归模型拟合较好(R≥0.91),植株高度与施压程度之间的相关性显著(P0.05)。     

Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of garlic (Allium sativum) and elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy

The total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of garlics from California, Oregon, Washington, and New York were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (400-4000 cm(-1)). The total phenolic content was quantified [Folin-Ciocalteu assay (FC)] and three antioxidant activity assays, 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were employed for reference measurements. Four independent partial least-squares regression (PLSR) models were constructed with spectra from 25 extracts and their corresponding FC, DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP with values for 20 additional extracts predicted (R > 0.95). The standard errors of calibration and standard error of cross-validation were <1.45 (TEAC), 0.36 (FRAP), and 0.33 μmol Trolox/g FW (DPPH) and 0.55 mg gallic acid/g FW (FC). Cluster and dendrogram analyses could segregate garlic grown at different locations. Hydroxyl and phenolic functional groups most closely correlated with garlic antioxidant activity.     

Carotenoid accumulation and characterization of cDNAs encoding phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase in garlic (Allium sativum)

Phytoene synthase (PSY) and phytoene desaturase (PDS), which catalyze the first and second steps of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, respectively, are key enzymes for the accumulation of carotenoids in many plants. We isolated 2 partial cDNAs encoding PSY (AsPSY-1 and AsPSY-2) and a partial cDNA encoding PDS (AsPDS) from Allium sativum. They shared high sequence identity and conserved motifs with other orthologous genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to determine the expression levels of AsPSY1, AsPSY2, and AsPDS in the bulbils, scapes, leaves, stems, bulbs, and roots of garlic. High-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that carotenoids were not biosynthesized in the underground organs (roots and bulbs), but were very abundant in the photosynthetic organs (leaves) of A. sativum. A significantly higher amount of β-carotene (73.44 μg·g(-1)) was detected in the leaves of A. sativum than in the other organs.     

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from garlic (Allium sativum) and clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata) oils against the Japanese termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe)

Plant essential oils from 29 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with plant material, exposure time, and concentration. Good insecticidal activity against the Japanese termite was achived with essential oils of Melaleuca dissitiflora, Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus dives, Eucalyptus globulus, Orixa japonica, Cinnamomum cassia, Allium cepa, Illicium verum, Evodia officinalis, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Cacalia roborowskii, Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka, clove bud, and garlic applied at 7.6 microL/L of air. Over 90% mortality after 3 days was achieved with O. japonica essential oil at 3.5 microL/L of air. E. citriodora, C. cassia, A. cepa, I. verum, S. tenuifolia, C. roborowskii, clove bud, and garlic oils at 3.5 microL/L of air were highly toxic 1 day after treatment. At 2.0 microL/L of air concentration, essential oils of I. verum, C. roborowskik, S. tenuifolia, A. cepa, clove bud, and garlic gave 100% mortality within 2 days of treatment. Clove bud and garlic oils showed the most potent antitermitic activity among the plant essential oils. Garlic and clove bud oils produced 100% mortality at 0.5 microL/L of air, but this decreased to 42 and 67% after 3 days of treatment at 0.25 microL/L of air, respectively. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of three major compounds from garlic oil and two from clove bud oils. These five compounds from two essential oils were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against Japanese termites. Responses varied with compound and dose. Diallyl trisulfide was the most toxic, followed by diallyl disulfide, eugenol, diallyl sulfide, and beta-caryophyllene. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite control.     

Induced mutagenesis for genetic improvement of Allium genetic resources: a comprehensive review

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The genus Allium is one of the largest monocotyledon genera having 1000 designated species with commercial and economic significance. Allium cepa L. (onion)...     

Storage life of field-grown garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L.) as influenced by nitrogen and sulfur fertilization

The most important active compound in garlic is alliin. Sulfur (S) fertilization was shown to significantly increase the alliin concentration in garlic cloves, while high nitrogen (N) levels had an adverse effect. The effect of graded N and S application on the storage life of garlic has been paid little attention so far. A bifactorial field trial with 4 levels of N and S was conducted in a randomized block design. At harvest, 40 bulbs per treatment were stored under terms comparable to the storage conditions in average households (20 °C, dry, and dim) for 83 days. Every 3 weeks, samples were analyzed for their alliin and water content. The alliin concentration in peeled garlic cloves increased during storage from on average 9.2 mg g(-1) dry weight at harvest to 21.4 mg g(-1) dry weight after 83 days of storage. S fertilization increased the alliin concentration by a factor of 2.3 from 11.4 mg g(-1) in the control treatment to 26.6 mg g(-1) dry weight at the highest S level of 45 kg ha(-1) after 83 days of storage. N fertilization decreased by a trend of the alliin content. Fertilizer rates had only a minor influence on water losses from bulbs at short-term storage. After 83 days of storage, water losses were by trend lower at higher S levels, and this relationship proved to be significant when no N was applied. Best quality in terms of high alliin contents was obtained during the entire storage time at an S level of at minimum 30 kg ha(-1) S if no N was applied. The results show that the physiological S demand of 15 kg ha(-1) S for optimum yield is lower than the S requirement of 30 kg ha(-1) S for a longer storage life.     

Chrysanthemum genetic resources and related genera of Chrysanthemum collected in China

Chrysanthemum is one of the most important and popular ornamentals over the world. Breeding of new pedigrees depends mainly on conventional crossing. Chrysanthemum genetic resources were categorized into three groups. Here we introduce the wild species and related genera of Chrysanthemum in order to extend the genetic resources that can be used for genetic improvement of chrysanthemums by hybridization. In the genus Chrysanthemum and closely related genera, there are many wild species that are able to cross successfully with modern chrysanthemums. These represent important genetic resources for introducing new characters into florist’s chrysanthemums. The genus Chrysanthemum consists of more than 40 species distributed mainly in East Asia. More than 20 species of Chrysanthemum are native to China. Unfortunately, little of this information has been published in western languages. In this paper, we also provide an overall review of the basic information of the wild species of we have collected in China in order to understand and exploit those genetic resources much better. We have collected about 17 wild species and studied their useful characters in the past several years. These species include C. oreastrum (Hance) Y. Ling, C. hypargyrum (Diels) Y. Ling et C. Shih, C. zawadskii (Herbert) Tzvelev, C. chanetii (H. Léveillé) C. Shih, C. naktongense (Nakai) Tzvelev, C. mongolicum (Y. Ling) Tzvelev, C. argyrophyllum (Y. Ling) Y. Ling et C. Shih, C. rhombifolium (Hemsley) Y. Ling, C. vestitum (Hemsley) Y. Ling, C. dichrum C. Shih, C. glabriusculum (W. W. Smith) C. Shih, C. indicum (Linnaeus) Des Moulin, C. lavandulifolium (Fischer ex Trautvetter) Kitamura, C. foliaceum G. F. Peng, Shih et S. Q. Zhang, C. nankingense (Handel-Mazzetti) X. D. Cui, C. potentilloides (Handel-Mazzetti) C. Shih and C. maximowiczii (Komarov) Tzvelev. In addition to this genus, we have collected some species of the related genera including Brachanthemum mongolicum Krascheninnikov, B. pulvinatum (Handel-Mazzetti) C. Shih, B. gobicum Krasch, Ajania fastigiata (C. Winkler) Poljakov, A. achilleoides (Turczaninow) Poljakov ex Grubov, A. khartensis (Dunn) C. Shih, A. fruticulosa (Ledebour) Poljakov, A. pallasiana (Fischer ex Besser) Poljakov, Phaeostigma salicifolia (Mattf.) Muld., Elachanthemum intricatum (Franchet)Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling and two endemic species of Opisthopappus including O. taihangensis (Ling) Shih and O. longilobus Shih in China.     

Effect of selenium treatment on mineral nutrition, bulb size, and antioxidant properties of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Foliar selenium (Se) treatment of garlic at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 μg of Se/mL was carried out in open field conditions in 2008 and 2009 in Estonia. Bulb weight and yield structure, content of total Se, S, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, ascorbic acid content (AAC), pungency, total phenolics, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined. The highest level of Se decreased total S, K, and Ca in both years; no negative impact on bulb weight was observed. In 2009 Se10 treatment had significantly more bulbs with the largest diameter compared to the other treatments. In 2008, the AAC was decreased by Se50 and the content of total phenolics by all Se treatments; however, TAC was increased. Foliar Se fertilization of garlic at rates of 10-50 μg of Se/mL can be recommended to increase the number of large bulbs and increase bulb antioxidant capacity.     

大蒜中主要功效成分分析研究进展

大蒜是一种重要的药食同源植物,含有丰富的功效成分.本文对大蒜及大蒜制品中主要的功效成分及其检测技术的研究进行了总结,并对大蒜生产和加工过程中主要功效成分研究的变化趋势进行了综述,最后对大蒜中攻效成分的研究发展方向进行了展望.