Background: This study optimized the hydrodistillation kinetics of Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium schoenoprasum (chives) bulbs from North and Central Vietnam and evaluated their bioactivity. 
 
Methods: Extraction parameters were investigated by varying pretreatment methods, material-to-water ratios and distillation time. The chemical compositions of the obtained volatile fractions were analyzed via GC-MS, while biological activities were assessed through antioxidant assays and antibacterial testing against Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12943 using inhibition zone diameters and MIC values. 
 
Result: Ultrasound-assisted pretreatment yielded the best results (p&le;0.05) at a 1:3 material-to-water ratio over 3 hours (1.00% for garlic; 1.34% for chives). Chemically, garlic volatile fraction was stable with diallyl disulfide as the major component, whereas chives volatile fraction showed a transient accumulation of allyl propyl sulfide at 3 hours. Biologically, garlic volatile fraction displayed high antioxidant capacity comparable to vitamin C and potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12943 (Inhibition zone: 21 mm; MIC: 12.5 &micro;g/mL). In contrast, chives volatile fraction showed significantly lower efficacy (Inhibition zone: 9.0 mm; MIC: 250 &micro;g/mL).

Optimization of Extraction Process and Effect of Time on Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Allium sativum (Garlic) and Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) Volatile Fractions

<div>Background: Arsenic present in underground water affects the overall health. The therapeutic effects of Allium sativum was investigated for ameliorating the toxic effects of arsenic exposed ducks. Even though, heavy metals especially arsenic toxicity and ameliorative effects of Allium sativum has been largely studied, yet the histopathological cardiac lesion grading and its correlation with oxidative stress and biochemical parameters is scarce. This study is aimed at evaluating cardiotoxic lesions due to arsenic and ameliorative effects of Allium sativum in accordance with histopathological grading with respect to oxidative and biochemical parameters. 
 
Methods: In the present study, 105 birds were randomly distributed in 5 groups. GRP II was given arsenic @ 30 ppm whereas GRP III, IV, V were given Allium sativum @ 0.5 gm/ kg feed, 1 gm/kg feed and 2 gm/kg feed respectively along with arsenic to study the ameliorative effects. At the end of 42 days, 6 birds from each group were slaughtered after blood collection and the extend of arsenic toxicity with Allium sativum effects were studied as biochemical and oxidative parameters with histopathological grading of lesions. The extent of lesions was graded as mild (+), moderate (++) and severe (+++). 
 
Result: Grossly, heart revealed dilatation and thickening of ventricular wall in GRP II along with congestion in coronary vessels. In GRP V, grossly heart revealed no congestion and comparatively reduced enlargement. Whereas microscopically, myocardial and epicardial oedema, disruption of muscle fiber and hemorrhage was observed. Along with this, there was increase in cardiac biomarkers - Total serum creatinine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels and tissue oxidative parameters (LPO), with decrease in GSH, CAT, total antioxidant and SOD levels in GRP II which was comparably restored in GRP V.</div>

​Histopathological Grading of Induced Cardiotoxicity Due to Arsenic and its Alleviation by Allium sativum in Ducks

<div>Background: With the ban on the use of antibiotics as feed additives and growth promoters in animal nutrition, livestock scientists are now shifting their attention towards natural and safe products like organic acids, probiotics, prebiotics and herbal growth promoters. Plants containing essential compounds can be a cost-effective means of improving efficiency of nutrient utilization and growth performance of animals. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) belongs to the family Liliaceae, which is a genus of 500 species. The medicinal properties of garlic may have beneficial effects on nutrient utilization and health of animals. However, very few studies have been reported whereby garlic has been fed to ruminants. Therefore, the present study was design to investigate the effect of garlic supplementation on nutrient utilization, gastro intestinal parasites and haemato-biochemical profile in crossbred calves. 
 
Methods: Twelve crossbred male calves of similar age (3-6 months) were randomly allotted to two equal groups ((n=6) on basis of body weight. All animals were maintained on common feeding regime consisting of required concentrate mixture and roughage as per requirement given by ICAR (2013). Calves in experimental group were supplemented with garlic (Allium sativum) @ 250 mg per kg body weight whereas; the control group was remaining unsupplemented. The study was conducted for 90 days. After 60 days of experimental feeding a digestion trial of seven days was conducted to access the nutrient utilization of animals. The faecal sample of each animal was collected fortnightly for parasitological examination of helminthes eggs. Blood samples were collected from each animal at 0 and 90 days of feeding trial to assess the haemato biochemical profile of crossbred calves. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The results indicated that the intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, ADF and NDF were statistically (P&gt;0.05) similar in both the groups. The haemato-biochemical parameters like Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, glucose, TP, albumin, globulin and A:G ratio were statistically (P&gt;0.05) comparable among both the groups at 0 and 90 days of study. Similarly, the fortnightly faecal egg per gram (EPG) was also statically (P&gt;0.05) similar in both the groups. From the results it can be deduced that the garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation has no any effect on feed intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, ADF, NDF and CP but significantly increases in digestibility of CF. Garlic powder supplementation did not have&nbsp; any appreciable effect on haemato-biochemical profile and faecal egg per gram (EPG) in crossbred calves.</div>

Effect of Garlic (Allium sativum) Supplementation on Nutrient Utilization, Gastrointestinal Parasites and Haemato-biochemical Profile of Crossbred Calves

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of garlic extract (Allium sativum) in drinking water on the hematological profile of laying quail. In a completely randomized design (CRD), one hundred and twenty laying quail were randomly allocated to four treatments, with six replicates of five quail each. The treatment drink water are as follows, the control P0 (0%), 1% garlic extract (P1), 2% garlic extract (P2) and 4% garic extract (P3). Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measure were; the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. Blood samples from each quail were collected to analyze the hematological parameters. The result of hematological data showed that supplementation of garlic extract in drinking water had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on hemoglobin levels, but did not have a significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on erythrocyte, hematocrit, lymphocyte, monocyte and granulocyte levels. Meanwhile, the hemoglobin levels themselves showed that treatment P2 (2%) had a significant effect compared to other treatments. Based on clinical chemistry&nbsp;it shows that adding garlic extract with concentrations of 0% (control), 1%, 2% and 4% to drinking water does not have a significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on Aspartate transamnase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, triglycerides, BUN, creatinine and glucose.&nbsp;It can be concluded that the best treatment is giving 2% extract in drinking water which is able to improve the haematological profile of quail in terms of increasing hemoglobin levels.

Effect of Garlic Extract (Allium sativum) on Hematological and Clinical Chemistry Parameters of Laying Quail

Background: Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and may induce detoxification mechanisms in plants through activation of defense-related enzymes. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play a crucial role in xenobiotic detoxification by conjugating toxic compounds with glutathione, thereby enhancing plant tolerance to chemical stress. The present study aimed to investigate the induction of GST activity in garlic (Allium sativum) following exposure to the herbicide oxadiazon and to compare the response among different plant species and tissues. 
 
Methods: Garlic plants were treated with varying concentrations of oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-one]. GST activity was measured in multiple plant tissues, including seedlings, roots, shoots, leaves and stems. Time-dependent enzyme activity was evaluated in eight-day-old plants after herbicide exposure. Comparative analyses were also conducted in shoots of broad bean (Vicia faba), corn (Zea mays), lentil (Lens esculenta), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). 
 
Result: Oxadiazon treatment caused a progressive increase in GST activity in all examined garlic tissues. The lowest effective concentration inducing detectable enzyme activation was 0.025 ppm. Maximum GST activity exceeded 275% of control values at concentrations between 10 and 20 ppm. In eight-day-old garlic plants, GST activity in shoots increased significantly within 6 hours of exposure, reaching peak levels between 24 and 26 hours. Moderate increases in GST activity were observed in shoots of broad bean and corn, whereas lentil, bitter vetch, wheat and barley showed no significant enzymatic response following treatment. Oxadiazon effectively induces GST activity in garlic, demonstrating a species- and tissue-specific detoxification response. The marked enhancement of GST activity suggests an adaptive biochemical mechanism contributing to herbicide tolerance in garlic and highlights GST as a potential biomarker for herbicide exposure in plants. 
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Herbicide-induced Activation of Glutathione S-transferase in Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Exposed to Oxadiazon

Background: With the ban on the use of antibiotics as feed additives and growth promoters in animal nutrition, livestock scientists are now shifting their attention towards natural and safe products like organic acids, probiotics, prebiotics and herbal growth promoters. Plants containing essential compounds can be a cost-effective means of improving efficiency of nutrient utilization and growth performance of animals. The medicinal properties of garlic may have beneficial effects on nutrient utilization and health of animals. However, very few studies have been reported whereby garlic has been fed to ruminants. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic (Allium sativum) on feed intake, growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in goat kids. 
 
Methods: Twelve kids of similar age were randomly allotted to two equal groups (n=6) on basis of body weight. All animals were maintained on common feeding regime consisting of required concentrate mixture and roughage as per requirement given by ICAR (2013). Kids in experimental group were supplemented with garlic @ 250 mg per kg body weight whereas; the control group was remaining unsupplemented. The study was conducted for 90 days. Animals were weighed fortnightly in the morning before offering feed and water. The data on growth rate in terms of body weight, average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were analysed as per standard procedures.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results indicated that overall mean body weight and average dry matter intake were statistically (P&gt;0.05) similar in both the groups. No significant difference was observed in feed conversion efficiency between the treatment groups. The average daily gain was statistically similar in both the groups, but numerically 5.31 per cent increased ADG was observed in garlic fed group. From the results it can be deduced that the garlic supplementation improves average daily gain by 5.31%. However, it has no effect on feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of goat kids.&nbsp;

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Garlic (Allium Sativum) on Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency in Goat Kids

<div>Background: Garlic belongs to the largest monocot genus, Allium, comprising different species known for their use as spices and medicinal plants. It ranks second in volume and area of production among the Allium species, next to onoin. The Philippines is renowned for garlic varieties with a strong and pungent odour observed in the seven accessions registered at the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), Department of Agriculture, Philippines. Morphological, phytochemical and molecular characterization of the different garlic varieties would provide baseline information important to the identification of the registered varieties, their conservation and improvement. 
 
Methods: Physiologically mature and disease-free NSIC-registered garlic accessions were characterized and evaluated at the Institute of Crop Science, University of the Philippines Los Ba&ntilde;os. The bulbs were separated from each other and planted in a homogenous field. Morphological characterization was done from the vegetative stage until bulb harvesting using an Allium spp. descriptor list. The mature bulbs of each accession were screened for phytochemicals and alliin content. SSR markers were used to fingerprint the eight garlic accessions. 
 
Result: Qualitative characters showed low diversity (H&rsquo; = 0.22), while quantitative characters had intermediate diversity (H&rsquo;= 0.51). Identical phytochemicals, flavonoids and phenols, were detected across all the garlic accessions. Despite this, alliin content varied considerably with Bang-ar and Mindoro having the highest (37.70&plusmn;0.70 mg/g) and lowest (17.22&plusmn;0.68 mg/g) alliin contents, respectively. Only one SSR primer, ASA-24, showed polymorphic bands that can discriminate Batanes White and MMSU Gem from the other NSIC-registered garlic varieties.</div>

Morphological, Phytochemical and Molecular Characteristics of NSIC-Registered Varieties of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the Philippines

<div>The present study investigates comparative effects of different concentrations of garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber Officinale) on growth performance and selected histo-microbial parameters of broilers. &nbsp;A total of 80 one day- old chicks were divided into five different groups with each group having 4 replicates in a trial of 42 days. The first group was kept as control whereas, the second, third, fourth and fifth groups were given garlic 0.25%, garlic 0.5%, ginger 0.25% and ginger 0.5% respectively. At the end of trial all birds were slaughtered for analysis. Results revealed that feed conversion ratio and live body weight were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) improved by garlic 0.5% supplementation compared to other groups. Histo-microbiology revealed that lactic acid bacteria, yeast, acidic goblet cells, mixed goblet cells and total goblet cells increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) by the dietary supplementations under study. In was concluded that 0.5% garlic supplementation was a better alternate to antibiotic in broilers.</div>

<div>Comparative effects of different concentrations of garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber Officinale) on growth performance, goblet cell histochemistry and gut microbiota of broilers</div>

Field experiments were carried out at Lucknow, India to evaluate the optimum plant row arrangement of geranium and to study the effects of different rates of fertilizer N, P and Zn for the yield assessment in a geranium-garlic intercropping system. A paired row arrangement (40/80 cm) of geranium planting significantly increased the herb and essential oil yield over the conventional single row planting method (60x30cm). The former gave 20.6 % more herbage than the geranium single row intercrop system, with a 22.3 % increase in oil yield. Application of N at 160 kg ha-1 significantly increased the herb and oil yields of geranium and bulb yield of garlic over the control and 80 kg N ha-1. Uptake of N by geranium was also significantly higher at 160 kg N ha-1.Application of phosphorus at 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 proved significantly better than the no P control in the production of geranium oil and garlic bulbs. Uptake of Zn increased significantly up to 40 kg P2O5 ha-1. Higher rates of P decreased the Zn uptake by the plants. Application of 30 kg Zn SO4 ha-1 showed a significant response on the herb and oil yields over the no zinc control. The higher growth indices such as monetary equivalent ratio (1.45), area time equivalent ratio (1.44), land use efficiency (144 %) and benefit cost ratio (6.37) were recorded with a geranium paired intercrop system compared to other cropping systems. The geranium paired intercrop system proved advantageous in enhancing the economic returns by 1.73 – a two fold increase over the geranium single row, sole cropping system. It is concluded from this study that intercropping of garlic with a geranium paired row system proved highly beneficial in terms of getting higher economic returns by almost a factor of two over the conventional geranium single row planting method. A fertilizer addition of 160 kg N, 40 kg P2O5 and 30 kg Zn SO4 ha-1 is recommended for achieving the maximum yield advantages in a geranium-garlic intercropping system.

Planting row arrangement and nutrient management in geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) - garlic (Allium sativum) intercropping

Background: A standard research trial were conducted with the objective to evaluate the influence of variable levels of organic inputs on bulb attributes of garlic cultivars grown under suitable environment of lower hilly region of Uttarakhand. 
 
Methods: A field study were undertaken during successive rabi seasons of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 at Horticulture Experiment Block, School of Agricultural Science, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India to evaluate the influence of varying levels of organic manures on bulb attributes of garlic. The research trials were organised in a factorial randomized block design comprising three replications. Design treatments comprised two factors, Factor 1: includes two Garlic cultivars viz. (V1) Pahadi local and (V2) Desi local; Factor 2: comprised of twelve varying levels of organic manures viz. T1: (Control), T2: (Farm Yard Manure @ 10 t/ha), T3: (Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T4: (Vermiwash@ 50%), T5: (Cow urine @ 20%), T6: (PSB@ 5 Kg/ha), T7: (FYM @ 5t/ha +Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + Vermiwash @ 25%), T8: (FYM @ 5 t/ha +Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + Cow urine @ 10%), T9: (FYM @ 5 t/ha +Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + PSB @ 2.5 kg/ha), T10: (Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + Vermiwash @ 25% + PSB @ 2.5 Kg/ha), T11: (FYM @ 5 t/ha +Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha+Vermiwash @ 25% + Cow urine @ 10% + PSB @ 2.5 kg/ha) and T12: (FYM @ 10 t/ha +Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha + Vermiwash @ 50% + Cow urine @ 20% + PSB @ 5 kg/ha). 
 
Result: The maximum fresh as well as dry mass of bulbs among cultivars was reported in Desi Local in both the years. Among the treatments, the maximum fresh and dry mass of bulbs was noticed in T4&nbsp;in both years. The maximum and minimum bulb length was observed in V2T8&nbsp;(3.76 cm) and V1T1&nbsp;(2.70 cm) in 2022, whereas, in 2023, the maximum and minimum bulb length was observed in V2T8&nbsp;(3.76 cm) and V1T1&nbsp;(2.43 cm). The maximum and minimum bulb diameter was recorded in V2T1&nbsp;(3.50 cm) and V1T1&nbsp;(2.60 cm) in 2022 and V2T1&nbsp;(3.50 cm) and V1T2&nbsp;(2.66 cm), respectively in 2023. The maximum and minimum bulb volume was noticed in V1T3,11 (20.00 cm3) and V1T4,6&nbsp;(13.00 cm3) in 2022, whereas, in 2023, the maximum and minimum volume of bulb was noticed in V1T8&nbsp;(20.00 cm3) and V1T3&nbsp;(12.66 cm3). The maximum bulbing index was observed in V1T5&nbsp;(2.32) in 2022 and V1T5&nbsp;(2.32) in 2023. 
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