Red Onion (Allium caepaL. var. tropeana) Seeds: Nutritional and Functional Properties

Cipolla Rossa of Tropea Calabria, sometimes called purple onions, are cultivars of the genus Allium, Alliaceae family. Cipolla Rossa of Tropea Calabria are cultivated in the Cosenza, Catanzaro, and Vibo Valentia provinces of the Calabria region Red onion seeds are receiving attention for theri nutritional and medicinal properties.They contain higher amounts of oil, crude protein, copper, and zinc, and lower amounts of sodium, than other typical spices of Italian cuisine, along with phytochemicals such as sulfur-containing flavor compounds able to improve glycemic control, delay oxidation damage, down-regulate inflammatory cytokines, enhance anticoagulant activity, induce adipose tissue cell death; and steroidal saponins with hypocholesterolemic,antidiabetic, antitumor, and antitussive activities.There are no reports of adverse effects caused by Allium caepa L. var. tropeana seeds, but the potential allergenicity of Tropea red onion seeds should be assessed.