Garlic physiology

Ajoene (Spanish, ajo, garlic), 4,5,9-trithiadodeca-l,6,ll-triene-9-oxide 35 (Scheme 12), an antithrombotic compound with other well-defined physiological properties, is formed from allicin.84 Like allicin, ajoene is a sulfoxide but has two further sulfur atoms in a disulfide linkage. E and Z isomeric forms are possible involving the C=C bond at positions 6 and 7. Ajoene is somewhat more stable than allicin. The formation of ajoene probably involves condensation of 2 molecules of allicin forming a sulfonium salt 33, with elimination of propenesulfenic acid. Elimination of a second molecule of propenesulfenic acid... 

Garlic HP — Physiologies, 400-mg garlic bulb (1000 pg allicin/g yield)... 

Garlic HP 650 — Physiologies, bulb powder (allicin yield 6500 pg, total thiosulfinates 6500 pg, alliin yield 14,500 pg, y-glutamylcysteines 5200 pg)... 

The volatile and reactive thiosulfinates (2-9 mg/g fresh crushed garlic) are believed to be the physiologically and medicinally active compounds in garlic,... 

In the area of garlic research, there are predominantly two schools of thought. One believes allicin and allicin-derived compounds to be responsible for the physiological effects of garlic, whereas the other considers non-allicin-derived compounds (e.g., S-allylcysteine) to be the physiologically active compounds. Several products on the market are known to contain a combination of allicin-derived and non-allicin-derived compounds. 

Freeman, F. and Kodera, Y. (1997) Rebuttal on garlic chemistry Stability of 5-(2-propenyl) 2-propene-l-sulfinothioate (allicin) in blood, solvents, and simulated physiological fluids. J. Agric. Food Chem. 45 3709-3710. 

Rahman, K. 2007. Effects of garlic on platelet biochemistry and physiology. Molec. Nutr. Food. Res. 51(11) 1335-1344. 

The presence of asymmetric carbons in selenomethionine, other a-selenoamino acids, and related compounds produces different chiral enantiomers with different physiological activities. HPLC separation of enantiomers is possible with a range of chiral stationary phases, d- and 1-Selenomethionine enantiomers have been resolved with an a-cyclodextrin stationary phase and other species with a teicoplanin-based chiral phase. Hybrid chiral methodologies based on GC, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis, coupled with ICP-MS are feasible. Enantiomers of d,l-selenocystine, d,l-selenomethio-nine, and d,l-selenoethionine were examined in a range of commercial dietary supplements using a chiral crown ether stationary phase and ICP-MS detection. Selenium-em-iched onion, garlic, and yeast were analyzed and some of the selenoamino acid enantiomers were identified. l-Fluoro-2, 4-dinitro-phenyl-5-l-alanine amide was used to derivatize enantiomers of selenoamides for enhanced resolution. 

Butt MS, Sultan MT, Iqbal J (2009) Garlic nature s protection against physiological threats. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 49(6) 538-551. doi 10.1080/10408390802145344... 

The Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) recently published a Scientific Status Summary on functional foods. This Scientific Status Summary reviewed the research to date for the primary plant and animal foods associated with physiological benefits. Although much has been written about bioactive compounds in this regard (Kuhn, 1998), the publication of the IFT focused on whole foods rather than specific components isolated from foods. The functional foods from plant sources included oat products, soy and soy products, flaxseed, tomatoes, garlic, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, cranberries, green tea. 

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