FROM FOLKLORE TO MOLECULAR MECHANISM - THE EXAMPLE OF AJOENE

A historical review of the folklore-based discovery of an organic tris ulfur: (E,Z) 4-5-9 tritiadodeca-1-6-11 triene 9-oxide, to which the tr ivial name ''ajoene'' (ajo is the spanish word for garlic) was given. The biological activity (s) of ajoene have been reported in no less th an 25 international articles and up to 1998, claims have been register ed in nine international patents. The discoverers have enjoyed fruitfu l international collaborations due to the general collaborations due t o the general interest of a wide range of researchers in the compound.