GC-MS used in cancer study of garlic

Scientists have used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques to study how garlic can help to prevent cancer.

Ohio State University researchers operated GC-MS machines to separate and analyse urine samples from test groups to see whether they contained nitrosamines - a chemical that has been linked to cancer.

According to the experiment, there is an inverse relationship between the amount of garlic markers in a person's urine and nitrosamines.

"What this research [suggests] is that garlic may play some role in inhibiting formation of these nitrogen-based toxic substances," Earl Harrison, senior author of the study, said.

However, he admitted that the "precise mechanism" by which this works is still under "extensive investigation", but he noted garlic-lovers should not be afraid to go out and consume as much of the food as they want.

GC-MS procedures were recently used to prove the healing qualities of maggots, with an extract from Lipids in Health and Disease stating that the larvae promotes wound healing.