A Review of Micropropagation of Allium sativum L. (Family: Alliaceae)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is the most often used medicinal plant and the second most commonly used Allium species after onion. It belongs to the Alliaceae family. Garlic originated in Central Asia and is currently cultivated all over the world. Garlic is rich in bioactive components and is used in various medicinal uses. Garlic has a greater concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, which contribute to its pungent odour. The major phytoconstituents of garlic are alliin, allicin, ajeones (oilsoluble organosulfur compounds); water-soluble organosulfur compounds such as Sallyl cysteine (SAC), metabolites allyl mercaptan (AM), allyl methyl sulphide (AMS), and S-allyl-mercapto cysteine (SAMC). Due to its bioactive components, garlic has various pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial action. Garlic micropropagation is feasible due to its widespread use and robust pharmacological activity. Micropropagation of garlic, which includes meristem culture or shoot tip culture, is reported to have various advantages, including the ability to create disease-free plant material, develop a higher number of desired plants, enhance the bioactive of garlic, and improve crop quality. This chapter briefly summarizes garlic's bioactive components, their pharmacological actions, the role of micropropagation in garlic, and its application.