Planta Med 1990; 56(3): 320-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-960969
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Quantitative Determination of Allicin and Alliin from Garlic by HPLC*

Bernhard Iberl1 , Georg Winkler1 , Bernd Müller2 , Karl Knobloch1
  • 1Institute of Botany and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 5, D-8520 Erlangen, Federal Republic of Germany.
  • 2Lichtwer Pharma Lüneburg GmbH, Lüner Rennbahn 16, D-2120 Lüneburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
* This work is dedicated to Professor Andre Pirson on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Further Information

Publication History

1989

Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)

Abstract

The procedure for allicin synthesis could be improved. The time for HPLC analysis of allicin was shortened by the application of different isocratic elution systems. Calibration was performed by use of an allicin/silica gel adsorbate as external standard and its allicin content could be confirmed by different methods. L-(+)-Alliin was synthesized and applied as external standard for the quantitative determination of alliin by HPLC. Diastereoisomers had been separated by repeated recrystallization. Fresh Allium sativum bulbs from different origins were analyzed with respect to allicin content after complete enzymatic conversion of alliin; allicin contents found were in the range of 0.4%. The corresponding alliin contents were in the range of 0.9%. For a comparative evaluation of the alliin- and the allicin-HPLC determination methods, commercially available garlic preparations were analyzed, demonstrating that both methods are appropriate. However, the application of the HPLC system for allicin determination, in addition to providing information on the alliin-dependent allicin-generating capacity, enables the simultaneous quantification of allicin transformation products, such as ajoenes, dithiins, and alkyl sulfides. It was found that, for quantitative GLC analysis of allicin, allicin has to be used as an external standard.

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