Chemical constituents of wild onion Urginea indica KunthLiliaceae

Abstract

In summary, the wild onion, Urginea indica, is a good source of nutrients and beneficial compounds. The
raphides in onion bulbs give them their characteristic bitter flavor and serve as a defense mechanism. The
nutrients in wild onions include vitamins E, C, and K as well as potassium, fiber, and folate. In addition to
the usual suspects like calcium, iron, and protein, they also include a number of useful and marketable
chemicals including bufadienolides, quercetin, alose, methyl tert-butyl ether, tartaric acid, and paraaminobenzoic acid. Anticancer and antibacterial actions are only two of the many health benefits associated
with these chemicals. Each has been found to protect cell membranes from harm and aid the body's natural
defenses combat free radicals.