Onion (Allium cepa L.) peels: A review on bioactive compounds and biomedical activities

Kumar et al., 2022 | Biomed Pharmacother | Systematic Review

Citation

Kumar Manoj, Barbhai Mrunal D, ... Mekhemar Mohamed. Onion (Allium cepa L.) peels: A review on bioactive compounds and biomedical activities. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022-Feb;146:112498. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112498

Abstract

Huge quantities of byproducts/wastes generated in onion processing are usually discarded, but they are excellent sources of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. However, with growing interest in the sustainable use of resources and the circular economy to reduce adverse impacts on the environment, food processing wastes such as onion peel/skin can be extracted and employed as inputs in developing or reformulating nutrient supplements, and pharmacological drugs. This review highlights major bioactive components, especially total phenolics, total flavonoid, quercetin and its derivatives present in onion peel/skin and their therapeutic applications as cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antiobesity, antidiabetic, anticancer and antimicrobial agents. The present review emphasized that onion peel is one of the important agricultural by-products which is rich in bioactive compounds and can be utilized as health promoting ingredient especially in pharmacological and biomedical fields. Thus, with increasing burden of life style disorders/non-communicable diseases, finding suitable natural alternative for their treatment is one major concern of the researchers and onion peel and its extract can be exploited as a prime ingredient.

Key Findings

Thus, with increasing burden of life style disorders/non-communicable diseases, finding suitable natural alternative for their treatment is one major concern of the researchers and onion peel and its extract can be exploited as a prime ingredient.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-Obesity Agents
Antineoplastic Agents
Antioxidants
Cardiotonic Agents
Flavonoids
Hypoglycemic Agents
Neuroprotective Agents
Onions
Phenols
Phytochemicals
Plant Extracts

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

PMID: 34953395
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112498
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09