Assessment of phytochemicals in Allium species: a systematic review

Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants for their protection. In Allium species, the principal bioactive phytochemicals include organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, and saponins. Most of them have also displayed antioxidant activities aside from other biological properties. Selection for productivity, disease resistance, and long shelf life has brought the biologically active substances out of control of selection. However, at the same time, enhancement of their contents could result from hybridization with some wild species of Allium.