Phytochemistry of Allium cepa L. (Onion): Its Nutritional and Pharmacological Importance

Abstract

The present study was conducted to review the phytochemical composition, nutritional and pharmacological values of Allium cepa L. (Onion). Attempts have been made to compile the findings of 75 articles into a single manuscript. Onion is cultivated all over the world. The onion bulbs are comprised of polysaccharides including peptides, fructans, flavonoids (mostly quercetin), saccharose and organosulfur compounds having salutary effects on human health. The onion in the diet gives us a positive response in nutritional manner. The nutritional contents of onion bulb are crude oil, vitamin E, sodium, potassium, and zinc. The onion bulb has the potential to reduce the problem of stomach cancer, osteoporosis, and brain cancer in human beings. In addition, onion is antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-scar, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-genotoxic, anti-mutagenic, diuretic,anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, antipyretic, and Analgesic.

Unfolding the mitochondrial genome structure of green semilooper (Chrysodeixis acuta Walker): An emerging pest of onion (Allium cepa L.)

“…Being a bulbous crop, onion is mainly grown for its bulbs. However, the green leaves are also consumed worldwide as raw, cooked, semi-cooked, or in processed forms as a condiment, nutritional, nutraceutical, and medicinal purposes [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]. India is the second-largest producer (26738.000 MT), consumer, and exporter of onion globally ( https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL ).…”

“…Being a bulbous crop, onion is mainly grown for its bulbs. However, the green leaves are also consumed worldwide as raw, cooked, semi-cooked, or in processed forms as a condiment, nutritional, nutraceutical, and medicinal purposes [3,5,6].…”

Onion (Allium cepa L.) and Drought: Current Situation and Perspectives

“…Nutritionally, onions play an important role in human health due to their high nutritional profile. Onion bulb is rich in crude oil, vitamins (A, B, C, and E), and minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium, and zinc) [ 7 , 46 ]. Due to its vitamins (vitamin B, vitamin C, and provitamin A), minerals (potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, manganese, and calcium), lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, essential oils, organic acids, and fiber content, onion is used as an energetic and protective food [ 47 ].…”