Alliin production in various tissues and organs of Allium sativum grown under normal and sulphur-supplemented in vitro conditions

Garlic extract contains alliin (S-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide), an organosulphur compound that contributes to its therapeutic value and pharmacological importance. Alliin production in plant organs (leaf and root), plantlet, callus (non-embryogenic and embryogenic), embryo (proliferated, matured and germinated embryos), grown under in-vitro conditions was evaluated after 8 weeks. Highest alliin content was recorded in leaves. Clove callus and germinated embryos also showed alliin production. Evaluation of alliin content of in-vitro grown tissues both in normal (control) and sulphur supplemented conditions (4, 8, 16, 32 mg l(-1)) showed that sulphur treatment at supply of 16 mg l(-1) gypsum (CaSO4) significantly enhanced the production of alliin content in all in-vitro grown tissues and organs. These findings suggest that production of alliin is dependent upon type and age of tissue and can be altered by growth conditions.