Search Results (162)

Nitrogen (N) supply can influence the accumulation of sulfur (S)-containing metabolites that contribute to garlic (Allium sativum L.) flavour and quality, yet evidence of these responses under field conditions remains limited. Nine N application rates (0–360 kg ha⁻¹) were evaluated under field conditions to examine the relationships between N supply, plant N and S status, and bulb S-containing metabolites. Allicin was quantified across three varieties, while alliin, γ-glutamyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine (GSAC), and alliin-to-allicin conversion were analysed in Glenlarge. The bulb alliin and allicin concentrations increased linearly with the N rate and were positively associated with the bulb N and S concentrations. The foliage N concentration was strongly positively correlated with the bulb alliin and allicin concentrations, suggesting that leaf N status may provide a useful predictor of S-containing metabolite accumulation. Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy showed that the relative proportions of GSAC and alliin remained relatively consistent across the six N rates. This indicates that N supply was associated with the increased accumulation of S-containing compounds, without a substantial shift in their relative S speciation. The alliin and allicin concentrations increased up to the highest N rate tested (360 kg N ha⁻¹), whereas increases in allicin yield became relatively small above approximately 200 kg N ha⁻¹. Overall, these findings provide field-based evidence linking N nutrition with the accumulation of bioactive S-containing compounds in garlic and provide insights into how N supply may influence garlic quality under field conditions. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to develop and optimize a rapid, eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for recovering total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from garlic (Allium sativum L.), while evaluating the predictive performance of response surface methodology (RSM) versus artificial neural networks (ANNs) and assessing the in vitro gastrointestinal stability of key polyphenols. Methodology: A four-factor, three-level central composite design (CCD) was implemented to evaluate the effects of extraction time, temperature, ethanol concentration, and solvent-to-solid ratio. A second-order polynomial RSM model was benchmarked against a 4-10-2 multilayer perceptron ANN trained by backpropagation. Optimal conditions were derived using the Derringer–Suich desirability function and confirmed experimentally. Individual polyphenols were profiled via LC-MS/MS and monitored across simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases. Principal Results: The ANN model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R² = 0.9999 training, 0.9974 validation, 0.9939 testing) compared to the RSM model (R² = 0.9721 for TPC and 0.9925 for TFC). Experimental validation under optimal conditions—1.50 min, 55 °C, 75% ethanol, and a 29 mL/g ratio—yielded a TPC of 2.487 mg GAE/g FW and a TFC of 21.356 mg QUE/g FW. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, significant degradation occurred during the intestinal phase, resulting in low final recoveries for gallic acid (16.9%), caffeic acid (19.9%), and luteolin (22.6%). Conclusions: MAE coupled with ANN modeling provides a highly accurate, rapid, and green extraction strategy for garlic polyphenols. However, the marked degradation of target compounds during intestinal digestion highlights the necessity of encapsulation or protective delivery systems to preserve their biological functionality in food applications. Full article

Pesticides are widely recognized as hazardous chemicals with potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Directive 2009/128/EC establishes a framework for the European Union to promote the sustainable use of pesticides and the adoption of alternative agricultural techniques. Specifically, aqueous extracts are complex mixtures of various chemical compounds, such as terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and phenols, that have potential herbicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties. Therefore, they can be used as an alternative to pesticides. This study examined the cytocompatibility of 100, 10, 1 and 0.1% Allium sativum L. aqueous extract (ASE) on human cell lines. The aim was to evaluate its effects on viability and cell metabolic activity through in vitro testing to verify the absence of adverse effects for operators who, when using garlic extract in agriculture, may be exposed via dermal contact or inhalation. The results showed that 1 to 0.1% do not significantly affect cell proliferation or viability in all examined cell models, while higher concentrations (≥10%) induced cell line-dependent reductions in viability. In summary, the results suggest the potential use of garlic aqueous extract as a potential low-risk alternative to synthetic pesticides and support its safety for occupational exposure of agricultural workers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been valued for its rich constellation of organosulfur and phenolic compounds, molecules that underpin its many recognized biological activities. Despite its deep roots in traditional medicine, the functional profile of garlic is far from uniform; it shifts notably depending on how its bioactive components are extracted. Most scientific attention has gravitated toward ethanolic extracts, leaving the behavior of aqueous-buffer preparations relatively unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and exploratory immunometabolic effects of extracts obtained with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 50% ethanol in PBS (EtOH:PBS; 50:50, v/v), using a regional garlic variety (“Jaspeado”) cultivated in northwestern Mexico. Methods: Their antioxidant potential was profiled through DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC assays; phenolic content was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and a broader chemical fingerprint was obtained through UPLC-ESI-TQ-MS/MS. Furthermore, we analyzed their antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus, and examined their immunometabolic influence in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: The extracts showed distinct, solvent-dependent patterns of antioxidant activity. The PBS extract displayed the highest ORAC values, whereas the EtOH:PBS extract showed a stronger DPPH and ABTS activity and a higher phenolic recovery. The PBS extract exhibited a broader bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting the growth of all strains, and selectively modulated antioxidant gene expression and influenced cytokine changes in adipocytes. Conclusions: Overall, this regional garlic variety exhibits solvent-dependent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, while the PBS extract provided a biocompatible preparation for exploring relationships between chemical composition and biological activities. Full article

Fructan metabolism governs garlic bulb expansion and yield formation. Dynamic carbohydrates and four fructan-metabolizing enzymes (1-FFT, 1-SST, 1-FEH, INV) of ‘Ledu purple garlic’ were tracked over 0–84 days after transplanting. Combined with multivariate statistics and carbon contribution quantification, we analyzed source–sink carbohydrate allocation. Garlic growth was divided into three phases: 0–42 d leaf vegetative growth, 42–56 d synchronous leaf and bulb development, and 56–84 d rapid bulb bulking. Fructan was the dominant storage carbohydrate in bulbs, peaking at 869.81 mg·g⁻¹ DW at harvest. Aerial carbohydrates were degraded and remobilized underground in late growth, while bulb monosaccharides showed bimodal fluctuations. Carbon supply shifted sequentially: mother bulbs supplied carbon at the seedling stage, leaves and pseudostems co-provided photosynthates in the mid-term, and pseudostems became the major temporary remobilizable carbon storage organ during late bulking under this single-site trial with a 14-day sampling interval. Fructan contents and enzyme activities exhibited obvious stage-specific patterns and could act as potential biochemical markers for distinguishing growth stages of ‘Ledu purple garlic’ under the present single-site field trial; their broad applicability across diverse garlic cultivars remains to be verified. 1-FFT was active only in early stages, while bulb 1-SST increased continuously. Day 42 represented the source–sink transition threshold with peak INV activity. Synchronous variation in enzyme activities only hints at coordinated carbohydrate redistribution under this test environment, which may support bulb dry matter accumulation. Full article

Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders drive the search for natural compounds with anti-adipogenic properties. This study evaluated Vitis vinifera seed extract (GE), rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), and Allium sativum bulb extract (ALL), rich in thiosulfinates, for their effects on adipogenesis and COX-related prostanoid modulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Differentiating preadipocytes were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of GE, ALL, or their combination (AGE) at a 1:600 dilution (approximately 23 μg/mL allicin and 0.05% OPCs). Lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining, prostanoid levels (PGE₂, TXA₂, and PGI₂) were quantified by enzyme immunoassay, and adipogenic gene expression (PPARγ, CEBPα and GLUT4) was analyzed by RT-qPCR. All treatments reduced lipid accumulation, with GE showing the most potent inhibition (68.0% of control), followed by ALL (81.6%) and AGE (78.0%). Distinct prostanoid patterns emerged: GE increased both PGE₂ and PGI₂ and decreased TXA₂, while ALL increased PGE₂ and reduced both TXA₂ and PGI₂. The combination (AGE) did not enhance the anti-adipogenic effects. At the molecular level, GE downregulated PPARγ, CEBPα, and GLUT4, whereas ALL did not affect their transcription, indicating distinct mechanisms. These findings demonstrate that GE and ALL inhibit adipogenesis through differential modulation of the COX pathway and gene expression, highlighting their potential as functional ingredients for obesity management. The lack of synergy in the combination warrants further investigation. Full article

Water scarcity in the Peruvian Altiplano demands irrigation strategies that optimise water use without compromising agricultural productivity. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation on the agronomic development, water balance, and yield of Chinese garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the community of Challapujo, Ilave, Puno, during the 2021–2022 growing season. Six plots were evaluated under two localised irrigation treatments: T-1 (drip) and T-2 (micro-sprinkler). The irrigation scheduling was based on a daily water balance, accounting for evapotranspiration, precipitation, effective root depth, and soil moisture thresholds. The soil exhibited analogous hydro-physical characteristics across treatments, with a bulk density of 1.28 g cm⁻³, a field capacity of 20.31%, and a permanent wilting point of 10.33% for T-1 and values of 1.31 g cm⁻³, 19.99%, and 10.16%, respectively, for T-2. The C-factor was calculated based the actual volume applied and the effectively wetted area, estimated at 80% for drip irrigation and close to 100% for micro-sprinklers. During the 190-day growing period, 84 effective irrigation events and a cumulative precipitation of 424.30 mm were recorded. Treatment T-1 required 1099.98 min of irrigation and applied 223.87 mm, whereas T-2 required 1280.75 min and 346.76 mm; this represented an absolute saving of 122.89 mm and a 35.5% reduction in favour of drip irrigation. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed regarding to plant height, pseudostem diameter, leaf length, pre-bulbing stage, number of leaves, or yield—with values of 14.70 t ha⁻¹ for T-1 and 14.83 t ha⁻¹ for T-2. In conclusion, both systems yielded equivalent agronomic results, but drip irrigation demonstrated superior water-use efficiency, making it a technically favourable alternative for high-Andean production systems with limited water availability. Full article

Garlic peel is an underutilized by-product with potential as a source of phenolic compounds. This study evaluated garlic peel waste valorization using ultrasound-assisted extraction with eight natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) formulations, compared with ethanol and water, in terms of phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, storage stability, in vitro gastrointestinal behavior, bioaccessibility, and chemometric differentiation. Total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, and individual phenolics were analyzed, while extract stability was monitored over 60 days at 4 °C and 25 °C. Glycerol:lactic acid (1:3) and glucose:lactic acid (1:5) exhibited the highest TPC among the NADES formulations, whereas ethanol showed stronger CUPRAC and FRAP responses. HPLC–PDA analysis revealed five flavonoids, including rutin, quercetin, two cyanidin derivatives, and one pelargonidin derivative, and seven phenolic acids, including gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids. Selected NADES favored anthocyanin recovery and post-digestion retention of flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Most choline chloride-based NADES enhanced TPC bioaccessibility (105–293%) compared with ethanol and water (86–126%). Storage stability depended on solvent composition and temperature, with 4 °C better preserving phenolic and antioxidant properties. Chemometric analyses confirmed solvent effects on extract composition. NADES-based extraction offers a green strategy for converting garlic peel waste into phenolic-rich functional extracts. Full article

Allium sativum is widely consumed and studied plant for its potential health-promoting effects. Despite its widespread use, the impact of different extraction methods on the biological efficacy and specific phytochemical composition of garlic has not yet been fully elucidated. This study investigated the phytochemical profile, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moroccan-grown A. sativum using in vitro assays and in silico analyses. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by colorimetric methods, while phenolic aglycones were identified by HPLC. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, antioxidant capacity by DPPH, TAC, and FRAP assays, and anti-inflammatory activity through protein denaturation inhibition. ADMET profiling was performed to predict pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the identified compounds. The ethanolic extract exhibited higher flavonoid and phenolic contents, reaching 13.27 ± 0.01 mg quercetin/_gextract and 1.57 ± 0.02 mg GAE/_gextract, respectively. HPLC analysis identified syringic, caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and chlorogenic acids, as well as kaempferol and quercetin, whereas apigenin was detected only in the ethanolic extract under the present extraction and analytical conditions. Both extracts inhibited MRSA and E. coli but showed no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Docking analyses suggested favorable interactions between the identified compounds and bacterial target proteins. The ethanolic extract displayed stronger antioxidant activity, with DPPH IC₅₀ and TAC EC₅₀ values of 1.134 and 2.527 mg/mL, respectively. No ferric reducing activity was detected under the tested conditions. Protein denaturation inhibition ranged from 30.68% to 90.37%, with the aqueous extract showing significantly greater activity (p < 0.003). Overall, extraction-dependent differences in phenolic composition appear to influence the biological properties of A. sativum extracts, warranting further mechanistic and in vivo investigations. Full article

Allicin, the most critical bioactive compound of garlic (Allium sativum L.), is of significant industrial importance when extracted at high purity while preserving its structural integrity. In this study, the combined use of supercritical-CO₂ (SC-CO₂) extraction and molecular distillation (MD) techniques was investigated to obtain garlic extracts with high allicin content from Gaziantep (Araban) garlic. The SC-CO₂ extraction process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) within a range of 150–300 bar pressure, 50–80% co-solvent concentration and 0.5–3.0 mL/min solvent flow rate. The obtained extracts were characterized by LC-ESI-DAD-MS/MS, and their biological activities were evaluated using a comprehensive in vitro digestion model. Allicin in vitro digestion was performed using models simulating gastrointestinal conditions of young adults (<65 years) and older adults (>65 years), and its bioactive properties were comparatively evaluated. In the antimicrobial analysis, for SC-CO₂, a strong activity was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the oral phase of the in vitro digestion model, with inhibition zones of 36.33 mm and 26.50 mm in young samples and 34.67 mm and 25.83 mm in older samples, respectively. Owing to the immediate nucleophilic attack triggered by the subsequent alkaline pH shift and pancreatic enzymatic stress, free allicin underwent total structural degradation, falling below detectable limits within the intestinal chyme. In terms of purification performance, allicin content increased from 45.77% after SC-CO₂ extraction to 67.10% after molecular distillation. Crucially, due to the immediate nucleophilic attack driven by the subsequent alkaline pH shift and pancreatic enzymatic stress, free allicin underwent complete structural degradation and was rendered strictly undetectable within the intestinal chyme. This approach provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly purification strategy that effectively limits the thermal degradation of allicin. The results present a practical framework for the scalable production of allicin-rich nutraceutical intermediates and functional food ingredients. Full article

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae), is one of the most destructive pests of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] crops worldwide. Current management of the sweet potato weevil relies heavily on conventional pesticides, raising concerns about pesticide residues, environmental impacts, and the development of pesticide resistance. This study evaluated the effects of seven essential oils (EOs): eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), garlic (Allium sativum), marigold (Calendula officinalis), mustard seed (Sinapis alba), peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and thyme (Thymus gobicus) against different life stages of C. formicarius under laboratory conditions. Feeding activity, oviposition, larval mortality, pupal mortality, and adult survival were evaluated using EO concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10%, with acetone and distilled water as control treatments. Each treatment consisted of six replicates, with 10 insects per replicate. Statistical analyses were performed using logistic regression models with a binomial distribution. Significant effects of oil type and concentration were observed as lethal to weevil larval and pupal stages. Similarly, the feeding and oviposition were significantly impacted (p < 0.0001). Peppermint oil exhibited the highest efficacy, causing complete or near-complete mortality of second- and third-instar larvae and pupae at 10%. This also substantially reduced adult survival, feeding activity, and oviposition. Rosemary, thyme, and eucalyptus, at higher concentrations. Most oils almost completely suppressed oviposition. These findings demonstrate that plant-derived essential oils (EOs) exhibit significant insecticidal activity against Cylas formicarius, indicating their promise as sustainable tools for integrated pest management programs in sweet potato production systems. Full article

Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins are pivotal repressors in the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, yet their specific roles in garlic (Allium sativum) remain largely unexplored. In this study, 28 AsJAZ genes were identified through a genome-wide analysis. The expansion of this family was primarily driven by whole-genome duplication events, with a significant majority (71.43%) of members belonging to a lineage-specific clade, Subfamily E. While AsJAZ proteins harbor conserved TIFY and Jas domains, they exhibit diverse gene structures and subcellular localization patterns. Notably, AsJAZ17 is strictly localized to the nucleus, whereas AsJAZ16 shows a nucleocytoplasmic distribution, suggesting potential functional compartmentalization within the family. Transcriptomic and qRT–PCR analyses revealed that most AsJAZ genes are responsive to heat, salt, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) modeling and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that AsJAZ17 physically interacts with the MYC2 transcription factor, identifying it as a key regulator within the conserved COI1-JAZ-MYC2 signaling module. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of AsJAZ17 in Arabidopsis significantly enhances salt tolerance. This improvement is attributed to an optimized growth-defense trade-off and a reinforced antioxidant defense system, as evidenced by the increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), which collectively maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis under stress. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the evolutionary and functional landscape of the garlic JAZ family and identify AsJAZ17 as a promising candidate gene for molecular breeding to improve abiotic stress resilience in Allium crops. Full article

This study evaluated the growth, physiological, chlorophyll fluorescence (JIP-test), and postharvest responses of a shoot-dominant (‘C-P’) and a root-dominant (‘J-L’) garlic material to graded salinity (0, 50, and 200 mM NaCl) in a hydroponic system, with or without seed-clove priming using LEAFENERGY^®, a commercial biostimulant mainly composed of naturally derived rare fatty acids. Results showed 50 mM NaCl significantly inhibited shoot growth, while 200 mM nearly arrested growth and induced clove decay. Under moderate salinity, biostimulant priming exhibited cultivar-dependent mitigation. In ‘C-P’, biostimulant priming increased clove soluble sugar content by 1.140 g 100 g⁻¹ FW under 50 mM NaCl and increased dry-weight-based clove water content after cold storage. In ‘J-L’, biostimulant priming increased SPAD values under 50 mM NaCl and reduced the salt-induced increase in clove yellowness index to a level not significantly different from the non-saline control. In conclusion, garlic’s response to salinity is fundamentally dictated by intrinsic resource allocation strategies. Rather than merely promoting growth, biostimulant priming optimizes photosynthetic energy fluxes and reshapes metabolism. This tailored approach effectively preserves the visual marketability of susceptible cultivars while enhancing osmoprotectant accumulation and hydration in vigorous morphotypes, providing a sustainable strategy to safeguard industrial raw materials in salinized controlled cultivation systems. Full article

Food deterioration is largely driven by microbial activity, particularly by fungi producing mycotoxins exhibiting mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Garlic (Allium sativum L.), valued for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, is widely recognized as a natural food preservative; however, the high moisture content and intense respiration of freshly harvested garlic accelerate enzymatic degradation of its bioactive compounds, making post-harvest processing essential to preserve its functional properties. This study evaluated the preservative potential of convectively dried garlic (50–90 °C) by testing the antifungal activity of its extracts (6.3–0.8%) against Aspergillus parasiticus, while a modeling approach was employed to quantitatively describe this phenomenon. The antioxidant activity and rehydration capacity were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that both drying temperature and extract concentration significantly influenced fungal growth kinetics. The strongest inhibition was observed for extracts from raw garlic and garlic dried at 50 °C, whereas extracts from samples dried at 70–90 °C only partially suppressed the microbial activity. Predictive modeling accurately described fungal growth (MAE = 1.9, R² = 0.995), enabling its application in optimizing food preservation strategies. Antioxidant activity was highest in raw garlic, decreased significantly in garlic dried at 50 °C, and then increased progressively with rising drying temperature. The study highlights the need to maintain a balance in drying conditions that ensures efficient drying kinetics while preserving bioactive, functional, and antifungal properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: The frequent use of antibiotics has led to increasing drug resistance in Aeromonas hydrophila; therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobial agents to prevent and control bacterial diseases in aquaculture. Allicin E (ALE) is derived from garlic (Allium sativum L.), a plant extensively used in traditional medicine for treating infections. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ALE against A. hydrophila, a major aquaculture pathogen, by investigating its antibacterial efficacy, mechanisms of action, and in vivo protective effects. Methods: The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were determined by broth microdilution. Antibacterial mechanisms were investigated through ROS detection, electron microscopy, fluorescent staining, and content leakage measurement. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in Carassius auratus gibelio by monitoring survival rates and bacterial loads, analyzing immune and antioxidant biomarkers, and histopathological analysis after A. hydrophila challenge. Results: ALE exhibited potent antibacterial activity (MIC = MBC = 8 μg/mL), achieving complete bacterial elimination within 1 h and showing a low resistance propensity. Mechanistically, ALE induced ROS accumulation, causing oxidative damage that disrupted membrane integrity and facilitated the leakage of cellular contents. In vivo, ALE significantly enhanced fish survival, reduced bacterial loads, modulated inflammatory cytokines, boosted antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT), and alleviated tissue damage. Conclusions: ALE possesses potent in vitro antibacterial activity and exerts an inhibitory effect on bacteria-induced inflammatory responses, effectively combating A. hydrophila through a multi-target mechanism and enhancing host resistance. Full article