마늘은 역학조사에 의하면 각종 질환의 예방과 치료에 효능이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 마늘의 주요 성분인 알리신 성분은 매우 불안정하여 쉽게 분해되어 새로운 형태의 유황 화합물로 만들어져 이들 성분들이 상승적으로 작용하여 중요한 생리황성을 갖는 것으로 알려져 있다. 시판되고 있는 여러 종류의 마늘제품 중에서 숙성마늘제품이 다른 제품에 비하여 생리활성이 높은 것으로 보고되었다. 숙성마늘제품은 마늘을 일정한 조건으로 숙성시킬 때 수용성 성분인 S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptan, steroid saponins, te-trahydro-<TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-caboline derivatives 및 fructeosyl-arginine 등이 많이 증가하여 그 효능이 상승적으로 높아지는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 시판 마늘가공품의 품질을 표준화하기 위하여 이들 수용성 성분을 biomarker로서 규격기준을 정해야 할 것이다. Garlic (Allium sativum) are an agronomically important genus because of their sulfur flavour components. The majority of the volatiles flavour principles are generated through the enzymatic hydrolysis of the non-volatile organosulfur compounds. However, these compounds may be possible sources of new novel bioacuve and therapeutic principles. Garlic has strong antioxidant activity, and epidemiological studies support the fad that diets rich of garlic may prevent some of the chronic diseases. The health cares of garlic likely arise from a wide variety of components, which may work synergistically. The chemical changes of garlic composition makes it plausible that a variation in processing can lead to acquisition of differential chemical compositions of garlic products. Especially highly unstable allicin can easily disappear during processing and are quickly transformed into a various organosulfur compounds. Various supplements of garlic, particularly aged garlic extract (AGE), are known to possess a promising antioxidant potential and are effective in prevention of chronic diseases because of the bioactive constituents. Although all of active ingredients of AGE are not elucidated, water-soluble components of AGE, including S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptane, steroid saponins, tetrahydro-<TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-carboline derivatives, and fructosyl-arginine, appears to be associated with the pharmacological effects of AGE. Consequently, the allicin free garlic components such as S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptane, steroid saponins, tetrahydro-<TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-carboline derivatives, and fructosyl-arginine can be applicable to standardization of the quality of commercial garlic products. This review provides an insight into garlic's biomarkers and presents evidence that they may either prevent or delay chronic disease associated with aging.
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