Garlic_NN1 and_CC Other_JJ Alliums_NN2 :_: The_AT Lore_NN1 and_CC The_AT Science_NN1 Why_RRQ am_VBM I_PPIS1 ,_, a_AT1 chemist_NN1 specializing_VVG in_II the_AT organic_JJ chemistry_NN1 of_IO the_AT element_NN1 sulfur_NN1 ,_, writing_VVG this_DD1 book_NN1 on_II garlic_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE relatives_NN2 the_AT alliums_NN2 ?_? 
Forty_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA I_PPIS1 began_VVD laboratory_NN1 work_NN1 on_II the_AT unusual_JJ sulfur-containing_JJ compounds_NN2 found_VVN in_II garlic_NN1 and_CC onion_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT aid_NN1 of_IO talented_JJ students_NN2 and_CC coworkers_NN2 ,_, secrets_NN2 of_IO the_AT often_RR smelly_JJ and_CC sometimes_RT tear-provoking_JJ compounds_NN2 slowly_RR revealed_VVN themselves_PPX2 ._. 
The_AT surprising_JJ complexity_NN1 found_VVN in_II the_AT chemistry_NN1 of_IO compounds_NN2 extracted_VVN from_II the_AT plants_NN2 and_CC synthesized_VVN in_II the_AT laboratory_NN1 served_VVN as_II the_AT basis_NN1 for_IF my_APPGE group_NN1 's_GE scientific_JJ publications_NN2 and_CC my_APPGE students_NN2 '_GE doctoral_JJ theses_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 took_VVD advantage_NN1 of_IO opportunities_NN2 to_TO talk_VVI about_II our_APPGE work_NN1 to_II audiences_NN2 of_IO specialists_NN2 ,_, as_RG well_RR as_CSA to_II high_JJ school_NN1 students_NN2 ,_, audiences_NN2 at_II garlic_NN1 festivals_NN2 and_CC ,_, sometimes_RT informally_RR ,_, to_II participants_NN2 at_II garlic-themed_JJ dinners_NN2 ._. 
To_TO enliven_VVI my_APPGE talks_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 interspersed_VVD information_NN1 on_II the_AT history_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 plants_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE medicinal_JJ and_CC culinary_JJ use_NN1 with_IW the_AT science_NN1 ._. 
On_II occasion_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ invited_VVN to_TO speak_VVI at_II professional_JJ meetings_NN2 in_II the_AT fields_NN2 of_IO horticulture_NN1 ,_, botany_NN1 ,_, medicine_NN1 ,_, and_CC other_JJ areas_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT science_NN1 of_IO garlic_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE relatives_NN2 were_VBDR of_IO interest_NN1 ._. 
To_TO prepare_VVI for_IF these_DD2 meetings_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 educated_VVD myself_PPX1 on_II historical_JJ and_CC cultural_JJ aspects_NN2 of_IO these_DD2 plants_NN2 ,_, often_RR journeying_VVG into_II areas_NN2 far_RR afield_RL from_II chemistry_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 found_VVD myself_PPX1 a_AT1 student_NN1 again_RT ,_, learning_VVG as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA I_PPIS1 could_VM from_II colleagues_NN2 I_PPIS1 met_VVD and_CC those_DD2 whose_DDQGE work_NN1 I_PPIS1 read_VV0 ,_, as_RG well_RR as_CSA from_II my_APPGE international_JJ travels_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ sometimes_RT brought_VVD me_PPIO1 to_II exotic_JJ produce_NN1 markets_NN2 that_CST invariably_RR included_VVN alliums_NN2 ._. 
In_II the_AT course_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE self-education_NN1 I_PPIS1 amassed_VVD a_AT1 wealth_NN1 of_IO information_NN1 on_II garlic_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE botanical_JJ allies_NN2 ._. 
The_AT more_RRR I_PPIS1 researched_VVN the_AT subject_NN1 ,_, the_AT more_RRR it_PPH1 became_VVD apparent_JJ just_RR how_RGQ fascinating_JJ was_VBDZ the_AT interplay_NN1 between_II the_AT science_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 plants_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE incorporation_NN1 into_II different_JJ cultures_NN2 ,_, since_CS these_DD2 plants_NN2 were_VBDR first_MD noticed_VVN by_II our_APPGE ancient_JJ ancestors_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ hardly_RR the_AT first_MD to_TO take_VVI a_AT1 fancy_NN1 to_II the_AT chemistry_NN1 of_IO genus_NN1 Allium_NN1 plants_NN2 ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, Allium_NP1 chemistry_NN1 attracted_VVN such_DA luminaries_NN2 as_CSA August_NPM1 von_NP1 Hofmann_NP1 ,_, first_MD Director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Royal_JJ College_NN1 of_IO Chemistry_NN1 in_II London_NP1 ,_, now_RT Imperial_JJ College_NN1 ,_, and_CC founder_NN1 of_IO the_AT German_JJ Chemical_NN1 Society_NN1 ;_; Arthur_NP1 Stoll_NP1 ,_, President_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swiss_JJ pharmaceutical_JJ company_NN1 Sandoz_NP1 Ltd._JJ ,_, and_CC a_AT1 pioneering_JJ researcher_NN1 on_II chlorophyll_NN1 with_IW Nobel_NP1 Laureate_NP1 Richard_NP1 Willstatter_NP1 ;_; and_CC Finnish_JJ chemist_NN1 Artturi_NP1 Virtanen_NP1 ,_, winner_NN1 of_IO the_AT 1945_MC Nobel_NP1 Prize_NN1 in_II Chemistry_NN1 ,_, among_II a_AT1 host_NN1 of_IO other_JJ international_JJ scientists_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 found_VVD it_PPH1 humbling_JJ to_TO follow_VVI in_II the_AT footsteps_NN2 of_IO such_DA scientific_JJ giants_NN2 ._. 
In_II my_APPGE reading_NN1 I_PPIS1 learned_VVD that_DD1 garlic_NN1 ,_, onion_NN1 ,_, leek_NN1 ,_, chives_NN2 and_CC other_JJ members_NN2 of_IO the_AT genus_NN1 Allium_NN1 occupy_VV0 a_AT1 unique_JJ position_NN1 as_CSA edible_JJ plants_NN2 and_CC herbal_JJ medicines_NN2 ,_, appreciated_VVN since_CS the_AT dawn_NNT1 of_IO civilization_NN1 ._. 
Alliums_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN featured_VVN through_II the_AT ages_NN2 in_II literature_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR both_RR praised_VVN and_CC reviled_VVN ,_, as_RG well_RR as_CSA in_II architecture_NN1 and_CC the_AT decorative_JJ arts_NN2 ._. 
Planting_VVG ornamental_JJ alliums_NN2 adds_VVZ beauty_NN1 to_II gardens_NN2 while_CS simultaneously_RR protecting_VVG nearby_JJ plants_NN2 against_II pests_NN2 ._. 
Garlic_NN1 pills_NN2 are_VBR among_II the_AT top-selling_JJ herbal_JJ supplements_NN2 ,_, while_CS garlic-based_JJ products_NN2 show_VV0 considerable_JJ promise_NN1 as_CSA environmentally_RR friendly_JJ pesticides_NN2 ._. 
Careful_JJ observations_NN2 by_II early_JJ scholars_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 recent_JJ research_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ established_VVN that_CST the_AT remarkable_JJ and_CC varied_JJ properties_NN2 of_IO the_AT alliums_NN2 can_VM be_VBI well_RR understood_VVN based_VVN on_II the_AT occurrence_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO relatively_RR simple_JJ chemical_NN1 compounds_VVZ ingeniously_RR packaged_VVN by_II Nature_NN1 in_II these_DD2 plants_NN2 to_TO protect_VVI them_PPHO2 against_II attack_NN1 by_II predators_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 book_NN1 represents_VVZ an_AT1 effort_NN1 to_TO examine_VVI and_CC document_VVI the_AT fascinating_JJ past_NN1 and_CC present_JJ uses_NN2 of_IO these_DD2 plants_NN2 ,_, sorting_VVG out_RP fact_NN1 from_II fiction_NN1 based_VVN upon_II the_AT detailed_JJ scrutiny_NN1 of_IO historic_JJ documents_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 numerous_JJ studies_NN2 conducted_VVN in_II laboratories_NN2 around_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
Every_AT1 effort_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN made_VVN to_TO explain_VVI in_II the_AT clearest_JJT terms_NN2 the_AT sometimes_RT complicated_JJ scientific_JJ concepts_NN2 and_CC results_NN2 in_II a_AT1 nonspecialist_NN1 language_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 sought_VVN to_TO provide_VVI sufficient_JJ additional_JJ detail_NN1 and_CC full_JJ referencing_NN1 to_II the_AT older_JJR original_JJ sources_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT most_RGT recent_JJ literature_NN1 ,_, to_TO satisfy_VVI readers_NN2 who_PNQS want_VV0 to_TO know_VVI more_RRR ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 researchers_NN2 in_II disciplines_NN2 as_RG diverse_JJ as_CSA archeology_NN1 ,_, culinary_JJ arts_NN2 ,_, medicine_NN1 ,_, ecology_NN1 ,_, pharmacology_NN1 ,_, food_NN1 and_CC plant_NN1 sciences_NN2 ,_, agriculture_NN1 ,_, and_CC organic_JJ and_CC analytical_JJ chemistry_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ my_APPGE hope_NN1 that_CST those_DD2 just_JJ beginning_NN1 their_APPGE careers_NN2 in_II chemistry_NN1 ,_, or_CC related_JJ areas_NN2 ,_, will_VM find_VVI this_DD1 book_NN1 useful_JJ in_II illustrating_VVG how_RGQ scientific_JJ research_NN1 is_VBZ conducted_VVN ,_, and_CC how_RRQ an_AT1 understanding_NN1 of_IO organic_JJ chemistry_NN1 proves_VVZ very_RG useful_JJ in_II many_DA2 different_JJ areas_NN2 of_IO science_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM very_RG grateful_JJ that_CST my_APPGE publisher_NN1 encouraged_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO include_VVI a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO photographs_NN2 and_CC drawings_NN2 illustrating_VVG the_AT subject_NN1 matter_NN1 in_II ways_NN2 not_XX possible_JJ with_IW words_NN2 alone_RR ._. 
This_DD1 book_NN1 is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 story_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 personal_JJ journey_NN1 ,_, both_RR figurative_JJ and_CC real_JJ ._. 
My_APPGE training_NN1 at_II Harvard_NP1 University_NN1 with_IW Nobel_NP1 Laureate_NP1 E._NP1 J._NP1 Corey_NP1 prepared_VVD me_PPIO1 for_IF a_AT1 career_NN1 in_II the_AT areas_NN2 of_IO natural_JJ products_NN2 and_CC organic_JJ sulfur_NN1 chemistry_NN1 ,_, the_AT latter_DA being_NN1 the_AT subject_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE 1967_MC doctoral_JJ dissertation_NN1 and_CC of_IO a_AT1 1978_MC monograph_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE interest_NN1 in_II Allium_NP1 chemistry_NN1 was_VBDZ purely_RR serendipitous_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT late_JJ 1960s_MC2 ,_, as_CSA a_AT1 young_JJ faculty_NN1 member_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Missouri-St_NP1 ._. 
Louis_NP1 ,_, looking_VVG for_IF a_AT1 subject_NN1 for_IF laboratory_NN1 research_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 recalled_VVD from_II my_APPGE graduate_NN1 studies_NN2 the_AT notable_JJ chemistry_NN1 of_IO dimethyl_NN1 sulfoxide_NN1 (_( DMSO_NP1 ;_; CH3S(0)CH3_FO )_) as_II a_AT1 powerful_JJ solvent_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 reagent_NN1 for_IF chemical_JJ processes_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 controversial_JJ treatment_NN1 for_IF arthritis_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 thought_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI of_IO interest_NN1 to_TO explore_VVI the_AT chemistry_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 relatively_RR little_RR studied_VVN analog_NN1 of_IO DMSO_NP1 ,_, namely_REX dimethyl_NN1 thiosulfinate_NN1 (_( CH3S(0)SCH3_FO )_) ,_, differing_VVG from_II DMSO_NP1 by_II one_MC1 additional_JJ sulfur_NN1 atom_NN1 ._. 
The_AT properties_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 easily_RR prepared_JJ compound_NN1 proved_VVD to_TO be_VBI quite_RG fascinating_JJ chemically_RR ._. 
What_DDQ soon_RR caught_VVD my_APPGE attention_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST dimethyl_NN1 thiosulfinate_NN1 was_VBDZ formed_VVN naturally_RR from_II a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO common_JJ vegetables_NN2 ,_, including_II members_NN2 of_IO the_AT Allium_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 Cruciferea_NP1 genera_NN2 ._. 
Furthermore_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 discovered_VVD that_CST the_AT knowledge_NN1 I_PPIS1 gained_VVD exploring_VVG the_AT chemistry_NN1 of_IO dimethyl_NN1 thiosulfinate_NN1 was_VBDZ directly_RR relevant_JJ to_II the_AT chemistry_NN1 of_IO the_AT more_RGR complicated_JJ compound_NN1 allicin_NN1 ._. 
Allicin_NP1 (_( CH2=CHCH2S(0)SCH2CH=CH2_FO )_) ,_, the_AT active_JJ compound_NN1 formed_VVN when_CS garlic_NN1 is_VBZ cut_VVN or_CC crushed_VVD ,_, has_VHZ six_MC carbon_NN1 atoms_NN2 instead_II21 of_II22 the_AT two_MC found_VVD in_II dimethyl_NN1 thiosulfinate_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA I_PPIS1 continued_VVD this_DD1 research_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 at_II Albany_NP1 ,_, State_VV0 University_NN1 of_IO New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, in_II Albany_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ amazed_JJ at_II how_RRQ ,_, from_II a_AT1 stable_JJ ,_, odorless_JJ white_JJ solid_JJ ,_, an_AT1 onion_NN1 enzyme_NN1 could_VM instantly_RR release_VVI a_AT1 highly_RR reactive_JJ three-carbon_JJ compound_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ ,_, through_II action_NN1 of_IO another_DD1 enzyme_NN1 ,_, could_VM rapidly_RR reorganize_VVI its_APPGE atoms_NN2 forming_VVG a_AT1 second_NNT1 ,_, profoundly_RR lachrymatory_JJ (_( tear-inducing_NN1 )_) compound_NN1 of_IO unique_JJ molecular_JJ structure_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT absence_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 second_NNT1 enzyme_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 cascade_NN1 of_IO chemical_JJ events_NN2 occur_VV0 ,_, resulting_VVG in_II a_AT1 doubling_NN1 in_II size_NN1 of_IO the_AT first-formed_JJ three-carbon_JJ compound_NN1 to_II one_MC1 with_IW six_MC carbon_NN1 atoms_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 chemical_JJ event_NN1 is_VBZ immediately_RR followed_VVN by_II a_AT1 remarkable_JJ sequence_NN1 of_IO molecular_JJ reorganizations_NN2 ,_, ultimately_RR giving_VVG stable_JJ substances_NN2 with_IW aesthetically_RR pleasing_JJ structures_NN2 --_JJ "_" zwiebelanes_NN2 "_" --_NN1 possessing_VVG a_AT1 delicious_JJ ,_, sweet_JJ onion_NN1 flavor_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ parallel_JJ processes_NN2 result_VV0 in_II a_AT1 tripling_NN1 in_II size_NN1 through_II combination_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 same_DA three-carbon_JJ molecules_NN2 yielding_VVG new_JJ molecules_NN2 with_IW nine_MC carbon_NN1 atoms_NN2 ,_, "_" cepaenes_NN2 ,_, "_" if_CS from_II onion_NN1 ,_, and_CC "_" ajoene_NN1 "_" if_CS from_II garlic_NN1 ._. 
Both_RR nine-carbon_JJ compounds_NN2 show_VV0 significant_JJ bio-logical_JJ ability_NN1 ._. 
Ajoene_NN1 is_VBZ currently_RR under_RG clinical_JJ study_NN1 for_IF the_AT treatment_NN1 of_IO leukemia_NN1 and_CC fungal_JJ infections_NN2 ,_, while_CS formulations_NN2 containing_VVG cepaenes_NN2 are_VBR being_VBG used_VVN for_IF the_AT healing_NN1 of_IO scars_NN2 ._. 
The_AT novelty_NN1 of_IO the_AT chemical_JJ transformations_NN2 that_CST occur_VV0 when_RRQ garlic_NN1 or_CC onion_NN1 are_VBR crushed_VVN seemed_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 story_NN1 worth_II communicating_VVG to_II a_AT1 broader_JJR audience_NN1 than_CSN just_RR my_APPGE fellow_JJ chemists_NN2 ._. 
In_II 1985_MC ,_, while_CS on_II a_AT1 fellowship_NN1 from_II the_AT John_NP1 Simon_NP1 Guggenheim_NP1 Foundation_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 published_VVD "_" The_AT Chemistry_NN1 of_IO Garlic_NN1 and_CC Onions_NN2 "_" in_II Scientific_JJ American_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT process_NN1 of_IO preparing_VVG that_DD1 article_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 more_RGR recent_JJ Encyclopaedia_NN1 Britannica_FW articles_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 learned_VVD how_RRQ best_RRT to_TO explain_VVI complicated_JJ chemical_JJ phenomena_NN2 to_II a_AT1 general_JJ audience_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 even_RR had_VHD the_AT unusual_JJ opportunity_NN1 to_TO participate_VVI in_II three_MC short_JJ documentary_NN1 films_NN2 dealing_VVG with_IW garlic_NN1 and_CC onion_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT above_JJ experiences_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 feel_VV0 comfortable_JJ telling_VVG the_AT full_JJ story_NN1 of_IO genus_NN1 Allium_NN1 plants_NN2 here_RL ._. 
The_AT journey_NN1 associated_VVN with_IW my_APPGE Allium_NN1 research_NN1 has_VHZ quite_RG literally_RR taken_VVN me_PPIO1 around_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, allowing_VVG me_PPIO1 to_TO pursue_VVI my_APPGE passions_NN2 for_IF travel_NN1 ,_, botany_NN1 and_CC photography_NN1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD two_MC chapters_NN2 document_VV0 with_IW photographs_NN2 ,_, mostly_RR mine_PPGE ,_, the_AT many_DA2 exquisite_JJ decorative_JJ alliums_NN2 found_VVN in_II botanical_JJ gardens_NN2 ,_, the_AT cultivation_NN1 and_CC marketing_NN1 of_IO edible_JJ alliums_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT incorporation_NN1 of_IO the_AT shapes_NN2 of_IO onion_NN1 ,_, and_CC even_RR garlic_NN1 ,_, in_II architecture_NN1 ._. 
The_AT central_JJ two_MC chapters_NN2 chronicle_VV0 the_AT chemical_JJ detective_NN1 work_VV0 involved_JJ in_II understanding_NN1 ,_, at_II a_AT1 molecular_JJ level_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ happens_VVZ when_RRQ these_DD2 plants_NN2 are_VBR cut_VVN or_CC crushed_VVD ._. 
These_DD2 two_MC chapters_NN2 also_RR take_VV0 the_AT form_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 journey_NN1 both_RR through_II time_NNT1 and_CC space_NN1 ,_, because_CS chemists_NN2 and_CC biochemists_NN2 around_II the_AT world_NN1 have_VH0 been_VBN studying_VVG Allium_NN1 chemistry_NN1 since_CS the_AT earliest_JJT days_NNT2 of_IO the_AT science_NN1 of_IO chemistry_NN1 ._. 
The_AT final_NN1 two_MC chapters_NN2 complete_VV0 this_DD1 journey_NN1 ,_, focusing_VVG on_II alliums_NN2 in_II folk_NN and_CC complementary_JJ medicine_NN1 through_II the_AT ages_NN2 ,_, and_CC on_II alliums_NN2 in_II the_AT environment_NN1 ,_, including_II promising_JJ recent_JJ work_NN1 on_II the_AT use_NN1 of_IO Allium_NN1 extracts_NN2 as_CSA environmentally_RR benign_JJ pesticides_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM extremely_RR grateful_JJ to_II the_AT National_JJ Science_NN1 Foundation_NN1 for_IF more_DAR than_CSN 30_MC years_NNT2 of_IO continuous_JJ ,_, generous_JJ support_NN1 for_IF my_APPGE own_DA research_NN1 program_NN1 in_II the_AT area_NN1 of_IO Allium_NP1 chemistry_NN1 ,_, as_RG well_RR as_CSA for_IF support_NN1 from_II the_AT American_JJ Chemical_NN1 Society_NN1 's_GE Petroleum_NN1 Research_NN1 Fund_NN1 and_CC Herman_NP1 Frasch_NP1 Foundation_NN1 ,_, the_AT North_ND1 Atlantic_NP1 Treaty_NN1 Organization_NN1 ,_, United_NP1 States_NP1 Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 ,_, the_AT National_JJ Institutes_NN2 of_IO Health_NN1 ,_, the_AT Jack_NP1 H._NP1 Berryman_NP1 Institute_NN1 and_CC the_AT American_JJ Heart_NN1 Association_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM also_RR very_RG much_DA1 indebted_JJ to_II the_AT John_NP1 Simon_NP1 Guggenheim_NP1 Foundation_NN1 ,_, to_II corporate_JJ sponsors_NN2 of_IO my_APPGE research_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR McCormick_NP1 &;_NULL Company_NN1 ,_, Inc_JJ ._. 
(_( United_NP1 States_NP1 )_) ,_, Societe_FW Nationale_FW Elf_NN1 Aquitaine_NP1 (_( France_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC ECOspray_VV0 Ltd_JJ ._. 
(_( United_NP1 Kingdom_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC to_II my_APPGE hosts_NN2 at_II Harvard_NP1 University_NN1 ,_, the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Bologna_NP1 ,_, the_AT Weizmann_NP1 Institute_NN1 and_CC Cambridge_NP1 University_NN1 where_CS I_PPIS1 conducted_VVD Allium-related_JJ research_NN1 during_II sabbatical_NN1 leaves_NN2 ._. 
Current_JJ University_NN1 at_II Albany_NP1 funding_NN1 in_II31 conjunction_II32 with_II33 my_APPGE Carla_NP1 Rizzo_NP1 Delray_NP1 Professorship_NP1 is_VBZ also_RR deeply_RR appreciated_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 also_RR thank_VV0 :_: Wolfson_NP1 College_NN1 of_IO Cambridge_NP1 University_NN1 for_IF hosting_VVG me_PPIO1 as_II a_AT1 Visiting_JJ Fellow_NN1 in_II 2006_MC and_CC 2007_MC ,_, where_CS I_PPIS1 formally_RR began_VVD work_NN1 on_II the_AT book_NN1 ;_; Dr._NNB Tim_NP1 Upson_NP1 ,_, Superintendent_NN1 of_IO the_AT Cambridge_NP1 University_NN1 Botanic_JJ Gardens_NN2 ,_, for_IF providing_VVG full_JJ access_NN1 to_II their_APPGE botanical_JJ library_NN1 and_CC encouraging_VVG me_PPIO1 to_TO include_VVI copies_NN2 of_IO historical_JJ botanical_JJ prints_NN2 in_II this_DD1 book_NN1 ;_; Dr._NNB Dmitry_NP1 Geltman_NN1 of_IO the_AT St._NP1 Petersburg_NP1 (_( Russia_NP1 )_) Botanical_JJ Gardens_NN2 for_IF his_APPGE hospitality_NN1 and_CC assistance_NN1 researching_VVG the_AT early_JJ botanical_JJ studies_NN2 in_II St._NP1 Petersburg_NP1 by_II Eduard_NP1 Regel_NP1 ;_; and_CC Dr._NNB Dorothy_NP1 Crawford_NP1 Thompson_NP1 and_CC Dr._NNB John_NP1 Emsley_NP1 ,_, both_DB2 of_IO Cambridge_NP1 University_NN1 ,_, for_IF helpful_JJ discussions_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ been_VBN particularly_RR inspiring_VVG for_IF me_PPIO1 to_TO get_VVI to_TO know_VVI in_II person_NN1 Dr._NNB Chester_NP1 J._NP1 Cavallito_NP1 ,_, whose_DDQGE 1945_MC discovery_NN1 of_IO allicin_NN1 from_II garlic_NN1 set_VVD the_AT stage_NN1 for_IF the_AT chemistry_NN1 described_VVN in_II this_DD1 book_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 happy_JJ coincidence_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 made_VVD his_APPGE seminal_JJ discoveries_NN2 in_II a_AT1 laboratory_NN1 in_II Rensselaer_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, located_VVD a_AT1 short_JJ distance_NN1 from_II my_APPGE own_DA university_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 warmly_RR thank_VV0 Chester_NP1 Cavallito_NP1 for_IF sharing_VVG with_IW me_PPIO1 details_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE discovery_NN1 of_IO allicin_NN1 and_CC giving_VVG me_PPIO1 his_APPGE col-lection_NN1 of_IO early_JJ references_NN2 pertaining_II21 to_II22 garlic_NN1 ._. 
Because_CS research_NN1 on_II Cultivation_NN1 of_IO leek_NN1 ,_, onion_NN1 and_CC garlic_NN1 is_VBZ as_RG old_JJ as_CSA the_AT history_NN1 of_IO the_AT human_JJ race_NN1 ,_, and_CC as_RG extensive_JJ as_CSA civilization_NN1 itself_PPX1 ._. 
References_NN2 to_II these_DD2 plants_NN2 in_II the_AT Bible_NN1 and_CC the_AT Koran_NN1 reflect_VV0 their_APPGE importance_NN1 to_II ancient_JJ civilizations_NN2 both_RR as_CSA flavorful_JJ foods_NN2 and_CC as_RG healing_JJ herbs_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 individually_RR have_VH0 vivid_JJ personal_JJ memories_NN2 of_IO the_AT smell_NN1 of_IO wild_JJ onions_NN2 in_II the_AT meadows_NN2 each_DD1 spring_NN1 ,_, of_IO a_AT1 steaming_JJ pot_NN1 of_IO leek_NN1 and_CC potato_NN1 soup_NN1 ,_, of_IO the_AT aroma_NN1 of_IO sauteing_VVG onions_NN2 ,_, of_IO a_AT1 garlic-scented_JJ roast_NN1 ,_, or_CC other_JJ olfactory_JJ recollections_NN2 of_IO Allium_NN1 plants_NN2 from_II our_APPGE own_DA life_NN1 experiences_NN2 ._. 
Species_NN sharing_VVG similarities_NN2 are_VBR grouped_VVN together_RL as_II a_AT1 genus_NN1 ._. 
So_RR it_PPH1 is_VBZ that_DD1 leek_NN1 ,_, onion_NN1 and_CC garlic_NN1 are_VBR all_DB members_NN2 of_IO the_AT genus_NN1 Allium_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 word_NN1 said_VVD to_TO come_VVI from_II the_AT Greek_JJ AAECO_NN1 ,_, to_TO avoid_VVI ,_, because_II21 of_II22 its_APPGE offensive_JJ smell_NN1 (_( Boswell_NP1 ,_, 1883_MC )_) ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT largest_JJT plant_NN1 genera_NN2 ,_, the_AT genus_NN1 Allium_NN1 includes_VVZ 600_MC to_II 750_MC species_NN ._. 
Whilst_CS a_AT1 few_DA2 alliums_NN2 are_VBR of_IO concern_NN1 as_CSA invasive_JJ weeds_NN2 ,_, most_DAT are_VBR edible_JJ and_CC have_VH0 been_VBN consumed_VVN by_II indigenous_JJ populations_NN2 for_IF thousands_NNO2 of_IO years_NNT2 ,_, and_CC some_DD Allium_NN1 species_NN are_VBR cultivated_VVN as_CSA important_JJ food_NN1 crops_NN2 (_( Kiple_NP1 ,_, 2000_MC ;_; Peffley_NP1 ,_, 2006_MC )_) ._. 
Many_DA2 members_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 genus_NN1 are_VBR popular_JJ with_IW gardeners_NN2 as_CSA hardy_JJ perennial_JJ ornamentals_NN2 ,_, though_CS the_AT smell_NN1 of_IO some_DD can_VM be_VBI off-putting_JJ ._. 
The_AT smell_NN1 is_VBZ due_II21 to_II22 the_AT presence_NN1 of_IO sulfur-containing_JJ compounds_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ a_AT1 characteristic_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 genus_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 focal_JJ point_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 book_NN1 ._. 
