Isolation and Characterization of Phytochemicals from Garlic Scale

Abstract

Garlic is a very useful bulbous plant whose bulbs have been researched and well known for its therapeutic uses. However garlic scales are less explored and their role unclear. In our study garlic scales were screened for various phytochemicals namely Coumarines, Quinines, Phlobotannnins, Tannins, Phenols, Cardiac Glycosides, Anthraquinones, Glycosides, Steroids, Terpenoids, etc. Numerous extraction methods were carried out such as soxhlet, cold extractions and hot extractions. Key highlights were cardiac glycosides and quinines observed in the garlic scales. When antibacterial assay was carried out using the garlic scale extract it was shown to inhibit the growth of E.coli significantly. Further cell viability was carried out using MG63 cells that showed that concentrations as low 100mg increased the proliferation ability of cells. Whereas higher concentrations proved to inhibit cell proliferation. Therefore garlic scales seem to contain phytochemicals that have significant biological functions that are to be studied further.