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Abstract
Ramson (Allium ursinum) is known for its typical garlic-like aroma. Both ramson and garlic belong to the genus allium which is characterized by a high content of sulfurous compounds. However, in contrast to garlic, ramson is in general not associated with an unpleasant breath following consumption. While there is data available regarding the metabolism of volatile garlic constituents in the human body, the metabolism of ramson was not yet addressed. To elucidate if ramson has an impact on the body odor, this study aimed at identifying volatile ramson-derived metabolites in human milk and urine. Therefore, milk and urine samples were gathered before and after ramson consumption, and were analyzed sensorially by a trained human sensory panel as well as chemo-analytically applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O). Sensory evaluation revealed a garlic-/cabbage like odor in milk samples obtained after ramson consumption, demonstrating that ramson consumption affected the milk aroma. Analyzes by means of GC-MS/O further confirmed excretion of three ramson-derived metabolites in milk and urine samples collected after ramson consumption, namely allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), allyl methyl sulfoxide (AMSO) and allyl methyl sulfone (AMSO2). Of these metabolites only AMS had a garlic-/cabbage-like odor, while the other two were odorless. These metabolites were subsequently quantified using stable isotope dilution assays. Nine urine sets, each comprising eight urine samples, and nine milk sets, each comprising four samples, were analyzed. In case of the urine sets a time interval of about 24 h was monitored, in case of the milk sets a time interval of up to 9 h. Despite the fact that all samples contained the same metabolites there were relevant differences found between individual subjects, especially with regard to the temporal rate of metabolite excretion. Generally, the maxima of metabolite excretion were observed in milk sets within 3 h after ramson consumption. In urine the highest AMS and AMSO amounts were observed within 2 h whereas the maximum concentration of AMSO2 was reached about 2 to 4 h after ramson ingestion. This study suggests that ramson constituents are heavily metabolized in the human body.
Highlights
Spice plants and condiments such as garlic are used worldwide to modulate the taste of dishes
Aroma profile analyses were performed on all human milk samples that had been obtained before and after ramson consumption in the course of identification experiments
In these cases a slight garlic/cabbage-like odor was perceived in the milk samples that were obtained after ramson consumption
Summary
Spice plants and condiments such as garlic are used worldwide to modulate the taste of dishes. Final evidence in terms of sensory and chemoanalytical data, as well as proof of attractiveness of such flavor impressions to the infants was not provided In this context it is interesting to note that intake of specific foods might impact diverse physiological processes and parameters such as blood pressure and secretory processes. There are several studies which demonstrate that the consumption of garlic can lead to reduction in blood pressure which is distinctive in case of hypertensive patients (Reinhart et al, 2008; Ried, 2016; Choudhary et al, 2017) Such processes might impact lactation processes, e.g., with elevated milk secretion, which might directly impact suckling behavior and milk intake of the children
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