Wiktionary
n. (context organic compound English) An organic compound, ''diallyl thiosulfinate'', obtained from garlic, with a variety of medicinal and antibacterial properties.
Wikipedia
Allicin is an organosulfur compound obtained from garlic, a species in the family Alliaceae. It was first isolated and studied in the laboratory by Chester J. Cavallito and John Hays Bailey in 1944. When fresh garlic is chopped or crushed, the enzyme alliinase converts alliin into allicin, which is responsible for the aroma of fresh garlic. The allicin generated is very unstable and quickly changes into a series of other sulfur-containing compounds such as diallyl disulfide. It is under preliminary research for its potential to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral or antiprotozoal activity. Allicin is garlic's defense mechanism against attacks by pests.
Usage examples of "allicin".
Effect of purified allicin, the major ingredient of freshly crushed garlic, on cancer cell proliferation.