Comparative Study of Antioxidant Power in Two Garlic Varieties: HG17 vs. SMG

Jim Crocker
4th June, 2024

Comparative Study of Antioxidant Power in Two Garlic Varieties: HG17 vs. SMG

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Kurukshetra University, India, found that Hisar garlic 17 (HG17) has higher antioxidant activity than Snow Mountain garlic (SMG)
  • The dry garlic methanolic extract (DgM) of HG17 showed the highest antioxidant potential among various forms and extraction methods tested
  • Unique polyphenolic compounds in HG17, such as garcimangosone C, osmanthuside A, and protoaphin aglucone, contribute to its superior antioxidant activity
Garlic, a member of the Allium genus, has long been celebrated for its potent antioxidant properties. Snow Mountain garlic (SMG) (Allium ampeloprasum) is particularly renowned for its medicinal uses due to its high antioxidant potential. However, recent research from Kurukshetra University, India, has introduced a novel variety of garlic, Hisar garlic 17 (HG17), which appears to surpass SMG in antioxidant activity[1]. The study aimed to compare the antioxidant activity of SMG with HG17 and to understand the factors contributing to the superior antioxidant potential of HG17. Antioxidant activity was assessed using two standard assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). These assays revealed that HG17 exhibited higher antioxidant activity than SMG, prompting a detailed phytochemical investigation. To elucidate the factors contributing to HG17's antioxidant potential, the researchers processed HG17 in various forms (fresh, dry, heated, and aged) and used two solvents (50% methanol and n-butanol) for extraction. The results indicated that the dry garlic methanolic extract (DgM) had the highest antioxidant potential among the different forms and solvents tested. This finding aligns with previous studies showing that extraction techniques significantly impact the phenolic and flavonoid content, which in turn affects antioxidant activity[2]. Phenolics and flavonoids are compounds known for their antioxidant properties. In the context of garlic, the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content can vary significantly depending on the extraction method and the form of garlic used. For instance, a previous study found that fresh garlic had a mean total phenolic content of 303.07 ± 6.58 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g (GAE/100 g) for aqueous extracts and 638.96 ± 15.30 mg GAE/100 g for ethanolic extracts. The total flavonoid content was 109.78 ± 6.78 mg quercetin equivalent per 100 g (QE/100 g) for aqueous extracts and 258.47 ± 12.37 QE/100 g for ethanolic extracts[2]. These findings underscore the importance of the extraction method in determining the antioxidant potential of garlic. Further phytochemical analysis of HG17 extracts using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) revealed the presence of unique polyphenolic compounds in the DgM extract. Specifically, garcimangosone C, osmanthuside A, and protoaphin aglucone were identified, which are believed to contribute to HG17's high antioxidant potential. This advanced analysis validates the superior antioxidant activity of the DgM extract and highlights the importance of these unique compounds. The discovery of these unique polyphenolic compounds in HG17 is significant because polyphenols are known to have various health benefits, including enhancing insulin activity and potentially aiding in the control of glucose intolerance and diabetes[3]. Additionally, the presence of these compounds suggests that HG17 could be a valuable alternative to SMG for medical applications, particularly in mitigating diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as arthritis and inflammation. Garlic's ability to modulate the immune system has been well-documented. For instance, garlic has been shown to enhance the functioning of various immune cells, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and eosinophils. This modulation of the immune system can contribute to the treatment and prevention of several diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disorders, and even cancer[4]. The higher antioxidant potential of HG17, combined with its rich array of unique phytochemicals, makes it a promising candidate for such therapeutic applications. In conclusion, the study from Kurukshetra University has demonstrated that Hisar garlic 17 (HG17) has a higher antioxidant potential than Snow Mountain garlic (SMG), primarily due to its unique phytochemical composition. The findings suggest that HG17 could be a valuable addition to the food and pharmaceutical industries, offering potential benefits for functional foods and therapeutic applications. The superior antioxidant activity and the presence of unique polyphenolic compounds make HG17 a promising alternative to SMG for various medical purposes.

HealthBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Comparative study of antioxidant activities of Allium sativum (a novel variety, HG17) and Allium ampeloprasum (SMG): Revealing the higher potential of HG17 and analyzing its phytochemicals.

Published 3rd June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.17133

Related Studies

2) Effect of cooking temperature and time on total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total in vitro antioxidant activity of garlic.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-020-05404-8

3) Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-A polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity.

Journal: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Issue: Vol 52, Issue 1, Jan 2004

4) Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/401630


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