Phytochemistry of Allium cepa L. (Onion): An Overview of its Nutritional and Pharmacological Importance

Abstract

The present study was conducted to review the phytochemical composition, as well as nutritional and pharmacological values of Allium cepa L. (Onion). Onion is cultivated all over the world.  Onion bulbs are composed of polysaccharides such as peptides, fructans, flavonoids (mostly quercetin), saccharose and organosulfur compounds having salutary effects on human health. Onion is beneficial for human health since it has a high nutritional value. The nutritional constituents of an onion bulb are crude oil, vitamin E, sodium, potassium, and zinc. The onion bulb has the potential to reduce diseases such as stomach cancer, osteoporosis, and brain cancer in human beings. Additionally, onion is antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-scar, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-genotoxic, anti-mutagenic, diuretic, anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, antipyretic, and analgesic. Copyright(c) The Authors