 Gen info
- Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with around 1000 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and amongst the largest plant genera in the world.
- In some older classification systems, Allium was place in Liliaceae. (11)
- Most species are edible as vegetable including onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
(11)
- The genus Allium was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
- Etymology: The generic name Allium is the Latin name for garlic. Shallot comes from from Old French escalogne or from Latin Ascalonia caepa, meaning 'onion of Ashkalon. (•) The ancient Greeks gave shallot its name when traders discovered in in the Ancient Palestinian port of Ashkalon (now Ashkelon in Israel) and names it after the city. (29)
- Commerce: In 2018. countries with highest onion and shallot consumption were China (25 M tons), India (20 M tons) and Pakistan (2.1 M tons), together comprising 80% of total consumption. Countries with the highest volumes of onion and shallot production were China (26 M tons), India (22 M tons) and Pakistan (2.1 M tons), with a combined 84% share of total production. (Overview of Onion and Shallot Market in Asia-Pacific: 2020) (29)
- The shallot is a cultivar of the onion. Until 2010, the shallot (French red) was classified as a separate species, Allium ascalonicum. In 2010, the taxon was synonymized with Allium cepa (the common onion), as the difference was too small to justify a separate species.
(33)
Botany
• Sibuyas-tagalog is a low herb, 15 to 50
centimeters high, with red, ovoid, subterranean bulbs, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, 1 to
4 centimeters in diameter, with accessory bulbs. Leaves are fistular, terete
and glaucous with pointed and subulate tips. Pedicles are long, erect,
fistular and 20 to 50 centimeters long. Umbels are rounded, 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters diameter,
containing many flowers. The pedicels are 1 to 1.5 centimeters long. Sepals are
free, ovate-oblong, white or pale lilac, 0.4 to 0.9 centimeter long.
 • Roots: Adventitious roots, 1-2mm in diameter, 10-25cm long, arising from true stem. Foliage: 3-8 leaves, alternate arrangement, distichous, glaucous, produced in succession from the broadening stem apex, each arising as a ring which elongated to form the tubular leaf-sheath; leaf-blade cylindrical, light to dark green in color, hollow, erect or slanting. Bulbs formed by the thickening of leaf-bases a short distance above the true stem; as result of the rapid formation of lateral bulbs or shoots, clusters of 3-18 bulbs of the first and second order are formed; protective bulbcoat-leaves purplish, brownish or white; mature bulbs oblongoid, globular or oblate, up to 5cm in diameter, very variable in shape, size and color and weight. Stems: True stem very short, flattened, form of a disk; pseudostem formed by the sheathing bases of successive leaves. Flowers: Inflorescence a spherical umbel, 2-8cm in diameter, protected by a membranous spathe which splits into 2-4 persistent papery bracts; umbel with more than 50 individual hermaphrodite flowers; pedicel slender; flowers sub-campanulate to urceolate; tepals 6 in 2 whorls, ovate to oblong, 3-5mm long, greenish-white; stamens6; ovary superior; 3-locular, style simple, shorter than stamens at anthesis. Fruits: Globular capsule, 4-6mm in diameter, splitting loculicidally, containing up to 6 seeds. Seed about 6mm x 4mm, black, wrinkled. (Flora & Fauna Web) (28)
Distribution
• Introduced during remote times.
• Grown extensively in Batangas Province and cultivated in other provinces in Luzon.
• Originated in the Levant.
• Now cultivated in Java, Malaya, and India.
 Constituents
• Contains ash,
phosphorus, calcium and iron.
• Contains
a volatile oil that stimulates the tear glands and upper mucous membranes
causing the eyes and nose to water. This property is the homeopathic
basis for using it in treating illnesses associated with tearing eyes
and nasal discharge, such as hay fever and colds.
• Phytochemical screening showed presence of secondary metabolites
such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins,
cyanogenetic glycosides and flavonoids.
• Study of polar extracts of bulbs isolated two new furostanol saponins, ascalonicoside A1 and A2 (1,2) and ascalonicoside B (4), along with compounds 2A and 2B. High concentrations of quercetin, isorhamnetic, and their glycosides were isolated and described. (23)
• A raw shallot is 80% water, 17% carbohydrates, 2.5% protein and contains negligible fat. In the amount of 100 grams (3.5 oz), it supplies 72 calories, a rich source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) (27% of Daily Value, DV), moderate amounts of manganese (14% DV) and vitamin C (10% DV). (33)
Properties
• Bulbs considered stomachic, tonic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic,
aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive.
• Studies have suggested antioxidant, renoprotective, anti-H. pylori, antifungal, antiangiogenesis, hypoglycemic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antihemolytic, antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, wound healing, anti-listeriosis, anxiolytic, mucolytic, anticancer, antidermatophytic, wound healing, anti-allergic, hepatoprotective properties.
Uses
Edibility / Culinary
• Edible parts
are flowers, leaves and roots.
• Added to salads, used as flavoring or vegetable.
• Bulbs used for pickles in brine.
• Shallots are an authentic ingredient of many Asian cuisines, from Thai soups and red and green curries to Indonesian and fried rice dishes such as Nasi Goring. (29)
 Folkloric
• In the Philippines, bulbs are used as anthelmintic, stomachic, and tonic.
• Also used for diarrhea, choleraic attacks, pain in the loins, headaches, laryngitis with hoarseness, coughs, amenorrhea, neuralgic
pains.
• Poultice of bulb for earache; also, juice dropped into canal.
• In Africa, juice
is rubbed on the body for fevers.
• In
Malaya, juice of bulk,
with tumeric juice, is used for stomach aches.
• In the Gold Coast,
mixture of bulbs with palm oil and large Capsicums used for fever.
• Bulbs used as aphrodisiac and for earache.
• In southern Thailand, shallot is used as traditional treatment for lipoma: Leaves are pounded and applied as poultice. In Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, shallot (alubosa elewe) is used for treatment of onchocerciasis. (29)
Studies
• Anti-Helicobacter
pylori / Leaves: Study evaluated a crude methanol extract of leaf of Allium ascalonicum in vitro against five strains of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) (ATCC 24376, UCH 97001, UCH 97009, UCH 98026 and UCH 99039) for antibacterial activity by agar diffusion method. All strains were inhibited with MICs in range of 6.25 to 12.5 mg/mL. Increasing doses decreased the urease activity of all strains tested. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and saponins. (1)
• Renal
Protective / Antioxidant: Study showed the protective
potential of shallot extract against cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, a
benefit probably contributed to by its antioxidant property. (3)
• Antibacterial:
One of 15 medicinal herbs studied for antibacterial properties, A ascalonicum
showed effect against B cereus. (4)
• Antifungal: Study investigated the antifungal activities of the fresh extract of Allium ascalonicum. It showed remarkable activity against saprophytic fungi followed by Candida species and dermatophytes. (5)
• Antiangiogenesis: Study showed the ethyl acetate fraction potently inhibited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Findings provide basis for further investigations on shallot for therapeutic and preventive activities against angiogenesis related disorders. (6)
• Hypoglycemic / Attenuation of Contractile Responsiveness: Study of AA on diabetic rats showed oral administration for two months could improve hyperglycemia and showed attenuation of contractile responsiveness of the vascular system and thus, may help prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats. (7)
• Anti-Cancer / Anti-Inflammatory: Study evaluated the in vitro antiproliferative and anti-growth activity of aqueous extract of A. ascalonicum bulbs on different tumor cell lines. Acetic acid-induced vascular permeability was evaluated in vivo for anti-inflammatory activity. The AE showed most anti-growth activity on cancer cell lines, Jurkat and K562 against Wehi 164 with lower cytotoxic preference. Extract also showed much less cytotoxicity against normal cell *HUVEC) line and significant anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. (8)
• Anti-Diabetic / Hypolipidemic Effect: Study in diabetic rats showed oral administration of AA had a time-dependent significant hypoglycemic effect and improved the lipid profile except for HDL cholesterol. (9)
• Antihemolytic / Anti-Lipid Peroxidation: Study showed the hexane-extract of shallot had a very high activity on protecting the human erythrocyte from radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in erythrocytes.
• Antioxidant: Study showed the antioxidant activity of Thai shallot and the tendency of application for protection and scavenging activity on hydroperoxide formation in the biological system. (10)
• Antimicrobial Activity: Study evaluated various extracts for antimicrobial activity. Fresh extracts of garlic showed more activity than similar extracts of onion and shallots. Fungi were more sensitive to shallot extract than bacteria. Among bacteria, Bacillus cereus was most sensitive; among fungi, Aureobasidium pullulans and Microsporum gypseum. (12)
• Antimycobacterial: Study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Allium ascalonicum against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results showed antimycobacterial activity with an MIC value of 500ug/ml., and implies the extract could be used as an effective agent against M. tuberculosis. (13)
• Antimicrobial / Crude Juices: Study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of crude juices of Allium ascalonicum, Allium cepa, and Allium sativum. Results showed strong antibiotic properties, and the complete absence of development of resistance from juices of Allium species merit consideration. (14)
• Antihyperglycemic / Cardiovascular Effects: Study evaluated the effects of Allium ascalonicum on contractile reactivity of isolated thoracic aorta from diabetic Wistar rats. Results showed oral administration of AA for two months improved hyperglycemia and attenuated the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system, and may help prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats. (15)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa Inhibition / Bulbs: Study evaluated the activity of extracts of underground bulbs on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed P. aeruginosa was sensitive to the bactericide type effect of the extract. The most effective was a 50% aqueous solution. (16)
• Analgesic / Anti-Inflammatory: Methanol and aqueous extracts significantly exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of albumin-induced paw edema in rats. The methanol extract showed analgesic activity at all test doses. (17)
• Ethnoveterinary Antidermatophytic: Crude methanol extracts of Piper betel leaves, Alpinia galanga rhizomes, and Allium ascalonicum bulbs were tested against selected zoonotic dermatophytes (Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) and yeast-like Candida albicans. All extracts suppressed the growth of fungi in a concentration-dependent manner. (18)
• Comparative Antifungal Study / Candida albicans: Study evaluated and compared the antifungal activities of ethanol extracts A. ascalonicum, Marticaria chamomilla and Stachys lavandulifolia on Candida albicans. While all three extracts were effective, Allium escalonicum showed the highest antifungal activity on Candida albicans with an MIC50% of 0.39 mg/ml, MIC90% of 8.5 mg/ml, and MFC of 20. (21)
• Anticancer / HepG2 Cell Line / Dry and Fresh Bulbs: Study investigated the anticancer activity of ethanol extracts of dry and fresh dry and fresh shallot bulbs (A. ascalonicum). Results showed both dry and fresh shallot extracts have anticancer potential with IC50 of 50 µg/ml. (22)
• Mucolytic: Study studied the mucolytic activity of shallot extract in vitro based on decreased viscosity of egg whites by Bookfield viscometer. At 25% concentration, the mucolytic activity of shallot extract was almost equal to 0.2% N-acetylcysteine. (24)
• Anti-Listeriosis / Essential Oil: Study showed shallot essential oil has high antibacterial power against Listeria monocytogenes (Hsani et al, 2011). (25)
• Anxiolytic / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the anxiolytic activity of aerial parts of hydroalcoholic extract of A. ascalonicum. Results showed anxiolytic properties using hole-board test, elevated plus-maze, light/dark exploration, open field and social interactions tests. (26)
• Wound Healing / Antimicrobial: Study evaluated the antimicrobial and wound healing activity of ethanol extracts of A. ascalonicum in a rat model. Results showed potential antimicrobial activity by inhibition of gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Bacillus subtilis. Histological studies showed the complete epidermis and the collagen fibers similar to the dermis of the standard group. Study showed the AAE extract possess antimicrobial and wound healing activities. (27)
• Antifungal Against Candida albicans / Anti-Biofilm Effect: Study evaluated the antifungal effect of aqueous shallot (Allium ascolonicum) extract against C. albicans using disc diffusion assay. Anti-biofilm activity was evaluated by XTT reduction assay, CV assay, and microscopic examination. Inhibition of C. albicans growth was observed at 10 and 20 g/mL. MIC was found at 10 g/mL. Significant differences were found between aqueous extract-treated and non-treated C. albicans in terms of biofilm formation activity by XTT and CV assays. Using simple and inexpensive extraction procedure, results showed antifungal activity with potential for exploring a novel antifungal compound. (30)
• Anti-Allergic / Effects in Allergic Rhinitis / Clinical Trial: Study evaluated whether shallot has similar antiallergic activity to onion and its effects in allergic rhinitis when added to standard treatment. Invitro ß-hexosaminidase inhibitory activity of shallot was compared with onion on RBL-2H3 cells. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done on16 AR patients, with controls receiving cetirizine 10 mg once daily and placebo capsules for 4 weeks and treatment of 3 g of oral shallot per day (equivalent to 1 1/2 bulbs) and cetirizine. Overall symptoms, total nasal and ocular symptoms, nasal airway resistance and adverse effects were assessed. Shallot extract at 200 µg/ml had an average
ß-hexosaminidase inhibition rate of 97% while onion extract had 73%. HPLC chromatograms of both plants showed identical patters of quercetin compounds, such as quercetin 3,4'-diglucoside, quercetin 4'-glucoside and quercetin. Results showed shallot has antiallergic activity and similar quercetin compounds to onion. The shallot oral supplement and cetirizine improved overall AR symptoms, more than cetirizine alone. (31)
• Hepatoprotective on Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury: Study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of A. escalonicum bulbs extract against ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. The extract at dose up to 2,000 mg/kg did not cause mortality or liver injury evidenced by enzyme levels. In mice administered with 50% (v/v) ethanol for 14 days, extract treatment (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for 7 days showed dose-dependent decrease of AST, ALT, GGT, and ALP levels in ethanol-induced liver injury mice. Results suggest A. ascalonicum bulbs extract exert a hepatoprotective effect in ethanol-induced liver injury. (32)
Availability
- Cultivated.
- Ubiquitous market produce. |
