Seleno-compounds in garlic and onion.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) possess known biological properties, including health benefits against cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
• These Allium species can accumulate selenium (Se) from soil, forming Se-enriched plants with greater chemoprotective effects.
• While some Se-compounds like Se-methyl selenocysteine have anti-cancer activity, many remain unidentified in Se-enriched plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in analytical methods for identifying selenium (Se)-compounds in garlic and onion.
• To highlight the biological properties of Se-species found in Se-enriched plants.
• To understand Se-biosynthesis pathways in Allium species.

Main Methods:

• Gas Chromatography-Atomic Emission Detection (GC-AED)
• Electro-Chemical/High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (EC/HPLC-ICP-MS)
• EC/HPLC-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization-Mass Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry (EC/HPLC-APCI-MS-MS) for Se-biosynthesis studies.

Main Results:

• Advanced analytical techniques have enabled significant progress in identifying Se-compounds in garlic and onion.
• Se-enriched plants show enhanced anti-cancer potential compared to non-enriched counterparts.
• Se-biosynthesis in garlic favors methylated compounds, unlike the propenylic compounds predominant in sulfur biochemistry.

Conclusions:

• Recent analytical method developments are crucial for identifying unknown Se-compounds in garlic and onion.
• Understanding Se-compound profiles in Se-enriched plants is key to elucidating their biological and health benefits.
• Further research into Se-biosynthesis pathways can unlock new chemoprotective strategies.