The characteristic smell of onion bulbs is due to:

🔑 Key Points
→ The characteristic smell of onion is due to the emission of Sulphur and its derivatives from it.
→ Onion belongs to the genus Allium.
→ The chemicals that give characteristic flavors to Allium vegetables are a class of compounds called amino acid sulfoxides.
→ The chemical in Onion that gives bad breath from the mouth is allyl methyl sulfide.
→ The peeling and cutting of onion release enzymes called alliances which convert these sulfoxides into sulfenic acids.
→ These acids condense to give a pungent odour.