Question

Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of garlic

Answer 1

Garlic are flat ,fleshy and rae the bulb part of the garlic plant .Only the cloves or garlic bulbs are used.There are certain phytochemicals found in the garlic such as flavinoids and sulphur containing compounds such as allicin,diallyl sulphate ,ajoene.Phytochemical means activities such as antioxidant,anticarcinogenic,antiinflammatory and antimutagenic properties.Phytochemicals are naturally occuring compounds in plant foods.

Garlic has an antimicrobial property,when fresh clove is crushed or chopped oxidant allicin is formed which has strong antibiotic property.Diallyl sulfide is one of the principal component of garlic.It gives garlic a strong odour and is insoluble in water.It is produced during the decomposition of allicin.It is also an allergen causing garlic allergy.It decomposes in human body as allyl methyl sulphide.Ajoene is found in garlic extracts.It is found mostly abundant in chopped garlic in edible oil.It has anti clotting properties ,which helps to prevent formation of clots potentially reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease in humans.