allixin
Sign in to saveAllixin is a phytoalexin found in garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs. It was first isolated and characterized in 1989. When garlic is stored for long periods of time, it can form visible accumulations of crystalline allixin on its surface, particularly in areas where tissue has become necrotic. After 2 years of storage, the amount of allixin accumulated can approach 1% of the dry weight of the cloves. Since allixin has weak antimicrobial activity, these high concentrations are thought to be produced by the garlic bulb to protect itself from further damage from microorganisms.
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 226.121
Show 2 more facts
- chemical formula
- C₁₂H₁₈O₄
- canonical SMILES
- CCCCCC1=C(C(=O)C(=C(O1)C)OC)O
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Article
4 sectionsContents
- Laboratory synthesis
- Biological activities
- Metal complexes
- References
Allixin is a phytoalexin found in garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs. It was first isolated and characterized in 1989. When garlic is stored for long periods of time, it can form visible accumulations of crystalline allixin on its surface, particularly in areas where tissue has become necrotic. After 2 years of storage, the amount of allixin accumulated can approach 1% of the dry weight of the cloves. Since allixin has weak antimicrobial activity, these high concentrations are thought to be produced by the garlic bulb to protect itself from further damage from microorganisms.
Since allixin is found in high concentrations in garlic, there has been scientific interest in determining if it is responsible for any of the known health benefits of garlic. As a result of ongoing research, a variety of biological activities have been attributed to allixin. Pharmaceutical drug discovery research based on derivatives of allixin has followed.