S-ethyl cysteine sulphoxide and S-butyl cysteine sulphoxide and their glycosides,
arginine, and others (Shah 2009). Some minerals such as selenium and enzymes
such as myrosinase, peroxidases, and alliinase are also present. The nutritional
composition of garlic is described in Table 12.2.
12.3.2 Antimicrobial Mechanism of Phytochemicals
of Garlic
Among the various phytoconstituents of garlic, allicin shows greater antimicrobial
activity than others and it is due to the interaction with thiol-containing enzymes
(Mikaili et al. 2013). Allicin elicits antibacterial activity for wide-ranging of
gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria’s, antiparasitic effect on human intestinal
protozoan parasites (Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica), antiviral activity
Fig. 12.3 Chemical structures of phytoconstituents from garlic
Table 12.2 Nutritional composition of garlic (per 100 g)
Constituent name
Proportion
Constituent name
Proportion
Water (g)
59
Magnesium (mg)
25
Calories (Kcal)
149
Sodium (mg)
17
Lipids (g)
0.5
Vitamin B6 (mg)
1235
Carbohydrates (g)
3307
Vitamin C (mg)
31
Fiber (g)
2.1
Glutamic acid (g)
0.805
Manganese (mg)
1672
Arginine (g)
0.634
Potassium (mg)
401
Aspartic acid (g)
0.489
Sulfur (mg)
70
Leucine (g)
0.308
Calcium (mg)
181
Lysine (g)
0.273
Phosphorous (mg)
153
416
S. K. Prajapati et al.