Garlic (Allium sativum) is rich in organosulfur compounds (e.g. allicin, glutathione), which promote many health benefits. Ultrasonic extraction is a reliable and efficient technique to produce highly concentrated garlic extracts. Ultrasonication results in high yields of high quality, full spectrum extracts within very short extraction time.

Superior Garlic Extracts by Ultrasonic Extraction

The use of a probe-type sonicator for the extraction of allicin and organosulfur compounds from garlic offers several advantages, including high yields and high quality of garlic extract, rapid processing, and a solvent-free, environmentally friendly approach. These factors collectively contribute to the production of high-quality garlic extracts with enhanced bioactivity and consistent composition, making it the preferred method for researchers and industries seeking premium garlic-derived products.
Below, we discuss the beneficial effects of an ultrasound-assisted garlic extraction in detail:

• Firstly, a probe-type sonicator uses ultrasonic waves to create high-intensity ultrasound waves, which are transmitted through a titanium probe, a so-called sonotrode, into the extraction medium. This mechanical energy generates cavitation bubbles in the liquid, causing them to rapidly collapse. During this process, intense local heating and cooling occur, creating microturbulence and pressure changes that aid in the disruption of garlic cell walls. This disruption facilitates the release of allicin and other organosulfur compounds trapped within the cells, leading to efficient extraction.
• Secondly, the controlled and precise nature of probe-type sonication allows for customization of the extraction process. Extract producers as well as researcher can adjust parameters such as sonication time, amplitude, and temperature to optimize the extraction conditions, thereby maximizing the yield of allicin and organosulfur compounds while minimizing the degradation of sensitive compounds. This level of control is crucial for obtaining high-quality extracts with consistent composition and potency.
• Additionally, the sonication process is relatively fast compared to traditional extraction methods such as maceration or Soxhlet extraction. This efficiency not only saves time but also helps preserve the freshness and bioactivity of the extracted compounds. The shorter extraction duration reduces the exposure of the garlic extract to heat and oxygen, which can degrade the sensitive organosulfur compounds.
• Furthermore, ultrasonic extraction is compatible with any solvent, including such mild and environmental-friendly solvents such as water, aqueous ethanol or alcohol. This is especially important when the garlic extract is produced for use as food additive, flavour, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals, where the risk of contamination from solvents or other chemicals must be avoided, in order to ensure the purity and safety of the final product.

Ultrasonic Water-Based Allicin Extraction

Allicin is the most abundant thiosulfinate molecule found in garlic extract. Allicin features anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-protozoal, anti-cancer and hypoglycemic effects and is also known to support cardiovascular health and the immune system. Garlic’s pharmacological activities are mostly related to thiol-disulphide exchange reactions with the thiol-containing proteins.
For the production of highly concentrated garlic extracts with high amounts of organosulfur compounds, ultrasonic extraction is a reliable and efficient technique to isolate thiols and other bioactive substances from garlic. Sonication releases the thiols from the interior of the garlic cells and enables to prepare a full spectrum extract of garlic biomolecules. For ultrasonic extraction of garlic, water can be used as solvent, which is non-toxic, inexpensive and environmental-friendly.

Transverse section of garlic clove before and after sonication
study and pictures by Bose et al. 2014

Ultrasonic Allicin Extraction Protocols

For ultrasonic extraction of garlic, several protocols have been established. In scientific studies, several research teams have demonstrated that sonication yield in high allicin, alliin, organosulfur compounds and other phytochemicals from garlic.
Arzanlou et al. (2010) report the ultrasonic extraction of allicin from garlic cloves using water as solvent. They used 20g of manually crushed garlic cloves. They sonicated the macerated garlic in 600mL distilled water for 5 min, using the Hielscher UP200S (200watts) at 100 % amplitude. An ice bath was used for heat dissipation. After ultrasonic extraction, the garlic mash was pressed through a five layer cheesecloth. The suspension was transferred into a 50mL tube and centrifuged at 1258g at 4ºC for 20 min to separate the remaining debris from the liquid. The supernatant was transferred into a sterile 50mL tube and sealed for storage.

Bose et al. (2014) compared ultrasonic probe-type extraction with traditional maceration, bath sonication and microwave extraction. The results showed that ultrasonic probe-type extraction gave the highest yields of allicin.

Ismail et al. (2014) report the efficient ultrasonic extraction of the sulphur-containing biomolecules cysteine and glutathione from garlic bulbs. They applied the water-based ultrasonic extraction to extract thiols from garlic bulbs using a UP100H at 100% amplitude setting. They found that optimal garlic concentration was 10% (w/v) in an open beaker extraction. Quantification of thiols was done by using the Ellman reagent method. They obtained an extract yield of 0.170mM thiols. The researchers conclude that ultrasonic water-based extraction is a simple, safe and cost effective method to isolate thiols from garlic.
 
 

High-PerformanceSonicators for Garlic Extraction

Hielscher Ultrasonics extraction systems are used worldwide in the food and pharma industry for the commercial production of high quality plant extracts used as food additives, dietary supplements and therapeutics. Wether your goal is to produce smaller batches of garlic extracts or process large quantities of high-quality botanical extracts, Hielscher Ultrasonics has the ideal ultrasonic extractor for you.

Competitive Advantages by Ultrasonic Extraction

The major benefits of ultrasonic extraction of bioactive compounds from botanical materials such as garlic include the significantly reduced extraction and processing time, its environmental-friendliness due to water-based extraction or reduced solvent use and negligible small CO₂emissions, the low amount of energy used, as well as the simple and safe operation of the ultrasonic systems.

Process Standardization with Hielscher Ultrasonics

Extracts, which are used in food or pharmaceuticals, should be produced in accordance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and under standardised processing specifications. Hielscher Ultrasonics digital sonicators come with intelligent software, which makes it easy to set and control the sonication process precisely. Automatic data recording writes all ultrasonic process parameters such as ultrasound energy (total and net energy), amplitude, temperature, pressure (when temp and pressure sensors are mounted) with date and time stamp on the built-in SD-card. This allows you to revise each ultrasonically processed lot. At the same time, reproducibility and continuously high product quality are ensured. The robustness of all Hielscher sonicators allows for 24/7 operation at heavy duty and in demanding environments.
The table below gives you an indication of the approximate processing capacity of our ultrasonicators: