Allergen, Individual-Food Onion Piaz (Allium Cepa) Test

Allium Cepa is type of onion (vegetable), its botanical name is Liliaceae. It is cultivated in Japan and it is known as bunching onion. These onions are dried and served as food in the form of pickles and chutneys. The leaves are flattened, fan shaped, and yellowish to bluish in colour. They have a pungent smell and certain chemical substances in it cause irritation to eyes. It is known as charaka samhita in Ayurvedic tradition. Allium Cepa contains 89% of water, 9% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and also flavonoid contents (flavonoid- it is a metabolites which provide antioxidants effect)

Allium Cepa is grown in fertile soils that are well drained. They required sufficient amount of phosphorous, nitrogen, and potash. They are considered as cool weather crop. Hot temperatures cause damages and flower stem begins to grow. They require very small amount of water for their growth. Bulbs are collected after 12-18 weeks and can be consumed fresh. The bulbs are stored in layers in shallow boxes with well-ventilated and cool sheds. Diseases can be prevented by taking care while drying, curing, and following correct storage method.

It is used as culinary or non-culinary product. Culinary uses: Onions are chopped and used as an ingredient in various dishes. It is used in chutneys As they are versatile it can be used in the form of baked, boiled, grilled, fried, roasted and consumed raw in salads. In Indian cuisine it is used as thickening agent and they are also used in the form of pickles. Non-culinary: They are used in science education to study cells. Medicinal use : Onion are rich in potassium, fibre, sulphur, Vitamin C, Vitamin B. they are very helpful in curing common cold, fever, sore throat, cough, prevent heart attacks, hair loss, loss of eyesight etc.

As Allium Cepa has number of allergy effect while using it. One of the symptom is eye irritation which can be avoided by placing onions in water before using it. The other symptoms are intense itching, blurred vision, sweating, and asthma. Allergy effect may not occur after onions are cooked. Refrigerating onions before using can reduce allergy effect.