International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review

The significance of this research extends beyond the mere extraction and purification of allicin, encompassing its potential applications across diverse industries. Allicin exhibits a plethora of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal properties. Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of thiol-containing enzymes in microorganisms, rendering it effective against a wide array of pathogens. Moreover, allicin has demonstrated promising anticancer properties, eliciting apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation in various cancer cell lines. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects underscore its potential therapeutic utility in mitigating cardiovascular diseases and other inflammatory conditions. This study presents a novel method for extracting and purifying allicin from raw garlic cloves. Dry ice ensures the ethanol to reach its cryo temperature (hilled to sub-zero temperatures ranging from -40°C to -80°C). The process involves the use of ethanol, dry ice and ascorbic acid as solvents, vacuum stirring, and subsequent crystallization. The final product, a hygroscopic powder, was analyzed using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) to determine allicin content. The extraction yielded 5 grams of whitish hygroscopic powder from 21 grams of crude extract, with an allicin content of 5%. Chromatographic conditions included a mobile phase of acetonitrile: water: Formic acid (30:8:2) and derivatization with ninhydrin, with detection under UV light at 366 nm. This method provides an efficient way to isolate and purify allicin for various applications.