The onion (''Allium cepa''), also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus ''Allium.'' The genus ''Allium'' also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion (''A. fistulosum''), Egyptian onion (''A.'' ×''proliferum''), and Canada onion (''A. canadense''). The name "wild onion" is applied to a number of ''Allium'' species.

The vast majority of cultivars of ''A. cepa'' belong to the 'common onion group' (''A. cepa'' var. ''cepa'') and are usually referred to simply as 'onions'. The 'Aggregatum group' of cultivars (''A. cepa'' var. ''aggregatum'') includes both shallots and potato onions.

''Allium cepa'' is known only in cultivation, but related wild species occur in Central Asia. The most closely related species include ''Allium vavilovii'' (Popov & Vved.) and ''Allium asarense'' (R.M. Fritsch & Matin) from Iran. However, Zohary and Hopf warn that "there are doubts whether the ''A. vavilovii'' collections tested represent genuine wild material or only feral derivatives of the crop."

Uses

Culinary uses

Onions pickled in vinegar are eaten as a snack. These are often served as a side serving in fish and chip shops throughout the United Kingdom and Australia, often served with cheese in the United Kingdom, and are referred to simply as "pickled onions" in Eastern Europe.

Onion types and products

Common onions are normally available in three colors: yellow, red, and white. Yellow onions are full-flavored and are a reliable standby for cooking almost anything. Yellow onions turn a rich, dark brown when cooked and give French onion soup its tangy sweet flavor. The red onion is a good choice for fresh uses or in grilling and char-broiling. White onions are the traditional onion used in classic Mexican cuisine. They have a golden color and sweet flavor when sautéed.

While the large mature onion bulb is the onion most often eaten, onions can be eaten at immature stages. Young plants may be harvested before bulbing occurs and used whole as scallions. When an onion is harvested after bulbing has begun but the onion is not yet mature, the plants are sometimes referred to as summer onions.

Additionally, onions may be bred and grown to mature at smaller sizes. Depending on the mature size and the purpose for which the onion is used, these may be referred to as pearl, boiler, or pickler onions. (However, true pearl onions are a different species.) Pearl and boiler onions may be cooked as a vegetable rather than an ingredient. Pickler onions are, unsurprisingly, often pickled.

Onion seed may be "sprouted", and the resulting sprouts used in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. (See sprouting.)

Onions are available in fresh, frozen, canned, caramelized, pickled, powdered, chopped, and dehydrated forms.

Onion powder is a spice used for seasoning in cooking. It is made from finely ground, dehydrated onions, mainly the pungent varieties of bulb onions, which causes the powder to have a very strong odor. Onion powder comes in a few varieties: white, yellow, red and toasted.

Non-culinary uses

Onions have particularly large cells that are readily observed at low magnification; consequently, onion tissue is frequently used in science education for demonstrating microscope usage.

Onion skins have been used for dye.

Historical uses

Bulbs from the onion family are thought to have been used as a food source for millennia. In Bronze Age settlements, traces of onion remains were found alongside fig and date stones dating back to 5000 BC.

However, it is not clear if these were cultivated onions. Archaeological and literary evidence such as the Book of Numbers 11:5 suggests cultivation probably took place around two thousand years later in ancient Egypt, at the same time that leeks and garlic were cultivated. Workers who built the Egyptian pyramids may have been fed radishes and onions.

The onion is easily propagated, transported and stored. The ancient Egyptians worshipped it, believing its spherical shape and concentric rings symbolized eternal life. Onions were even used in Egyptian burials, as evidenced by onion traces being found in the eye sockets of Ramesses IV.

In ancient Greece, athletes ate large quantities of onion because it was believed to lighten the balance of blood. Roman gladiators were rubbed down with onion to firm up their muscles. In the Middle Ages, onions were such an important food that people would pay their rent with onions, and even give them as gifts. Doctors were known to prescribe onions to facilitate bowel movements and erections, and also to relieve headaches, coughs, snakebite and hair loss.

The cultivated onion was introduced to North America by Christopher Columbus on his 1492 expedition to Hispaniola; however, they found that strains of wild onions already grew throughout North America. Native American Indians used wild onions in a variety of ways, eating them raw or cooked, as a seasoning or as a vegetable. Such onions were also used in syrups, as poultices, as an ingredient in dyes and even as toys. According to diaries of colonists, bulb onions were planted as soon as the Pilgrim fathers could clear the land in 1648.

Onions were also prescribed by doctors in the early 16th century to help with infertility in women, and even dogs, cats and cattle and many other household pets. However, recent evidence has shown that dogs, cats, and other animals should not be given onions in any form, due to toxicity during digestion.

Possible medicinal properties and health effects of onions

Wide-ranging claims have been made for the effectiveness of onions against conditions ranging from the common cold to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases. They contain chemical compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant properties, such as quercetin. Preliminary studies have shown increased consumption of onions reduces the risk of head and neck cancers. In India some sects do not eat onion due to its alleged aphrodisiac properties.

In many parts of the undeveloped world, onions are used to heal blisters and boils. A traditional Maltese remedy for sea urchin wounds is to tie half a baked onion to the afflicted area overnight. A similar traditional cure is known in Bulgaria. Half-baked onion with sugar is placed over the finger and fingernail in case of inflammation.

An application of raw onion is also said to be helpful in reducing swelling from bee stings. In the United States, products that contain onion extract are used in the treatment of topical scars; some studies have found their action to be ineffective, while others found that they may act as an anti-inflammatory or bacteriostatic and can improve collagen organization in rabbits.

Onions may be beneficial for women, who are at increased risk for osteoporosis as they go through menopause, by destroying osteoclasts so they do not break down bone.

An American chemist has stated the pleiomeric chemicals in onions have the potential to alleviate or prevent sore throat. Onion in combination with jaggery has been widely used as a traditional household remedy for sore throat in India.

Shallots have the most phenols, six times the amount found in Vidalia onion, the variety with the lowest phenolic content. Shallots also have the most antioxidant activity, followed by Western Yellow, pungent yellow (New York Bold), Northern Red, Mexico, Empire Sweet, Western White, Peruvian Sweet, Texas 1015, Imperial Valley Sweet, and Vidalia. Western Yellow onions have the most flavonoids, eleven times the amount found in Western White, the variety with the lowest flavonoid content.

For all varieties of onions, the more phenols and flavonoids they contain, the more reputed antioxidant and anticancer activity they provide. When tested against liver and colon cancer cells in laboratory studies, 'Western Yellow', pungent yellow (New York Bold) and shallots were most effective in inhibiting their growth. The milder-tasting cultivars (i.e., 'Western White,' 'Peruvian Sweet,' 'Empire Sweet,' 'Mexico,' 'Texas 1015,' 'Imperial Valley Sweet' and 'Vidalia') showed little cancer-fighting ability.

Shallots and ten other onion (''Allium cepa'' L.) varieties commonly available in the United States were evaluated: Western Yellow, Northern Red, pungent yellow (New York Bold), Western White, Peruvian Sweet, Empire Sweet, Mexico, Texas 1015, Imperial Valley Sweet, and Vidalia. In general, the most pungent onions delivered many times the effects of their milder cousins.

The 3-mercapto-2-methylpentan-1-ol in onion was found to inhibit peroxynitrite-induced mechanisms ''in vitro''.

While members of the onion family appear to have medicinal properties for humans, they can be deadly for dogs and cats.

Eye irritation

As onions are sliced or eaten, cells are broken, allowing enzymes called alliinases to break down amino acid sulphoxides and generate sulphenic acids. A specific sulfenic acid, 1-propenesulfenic acid, formed when onions are cut, is rapidly rearranged by a second enzyme, called the lachrymatory factor synthase or LFS, giving syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a volatile gas known as the onion lachrymatory factor or LF. The LF gas diffuses through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it activates sensory neurons, creating a stinging sensation. Tear glands produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant. Chemicals that exhibit such an effect on the eyes are known as lachrymatory agents.

Supplying ample water to the reaction while peeling onions prevents the gas from reaching the eyes. Eye irritation can, therefore, be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water. Another way to reduce irritation is by chilling, or by not cutting off the root of the onion (or by doing it last), as the root of the onion has a higher concentration of enzymes. Using a sharp blade to chop onions will limit the cell damage and the release of enzymes that drive the irritation response. Chilling or freezing onions prevents the enzymes from activating, limiting the amount of gas generated. Eye irritation can also be avoided by having a fan blow the gas away from the eyes.

It is also possible to avoid eye irritation by wearing goggles or any eye protection that creates a seal around the eye. Contact lens wearers can experience less immediate irritation as a result of the slight protection afforded by the lenses themselves. It may also be that lens wearers are familiar with controlling reflexive actions of their eyes, such as blinking, with regard to irritation, as this is an ability useful when manipulating the lenses.

The amount of sulfenic acids and LF released and the irritation effect differs among ''Allium'' species. On January 31, 2008, the New Zealand Crop and Food institute created a strain of "no tears" onions by using gene-silencing biotechnology to prevent synthesis by the onions of the lachrymatory factor synthase enzyme.

Propagation

Onions may be grown from seed or, more commonly today, from sets started from seed the previous year. Onion sets are produced by sowing seed very thickly one year, resulting in stunted plants that produce very small bulbs. These bulbs are very easy to set out and grow into mature bulbs the following year, but they have the reputation of producing a less durable bulb than onions grown directly from seed and thinned.

Seed-bearing onions are day-length sensitive; their bulbs begin growing only after the number of daylight hours has surpassed some minimal quantity. Most traditional European onions are what is referred to as "long-day" onions, producing bulbs only after 15+ hours of daylight occur. Southern European and North African varieties are often known as "intermediate day" types, requiring only 12–13 hours of daylight to stimulate bulb formation. Finally, "short-day" onions, which have been developed in more recent times, are planted in mild-winter areas in the fall and form bulbs in the early spring, and require only 9–10 hours of sunlight to stimulate bulb formation.

Either planting method may be used to produce spring onions or green onions, which are the leaves of immature plants. Green onion is a name also used to refer to another species, ''Allium fistulosum'', the Welsh onion, which does not form bulbs.

The tree onion produces bulblets instead of flowers and seeds, which can be planted directly in the ground.

I'itoi onion (''Allium cepa'') is a prolific multiplier onion cultivated near Baboquiviri, Arizona. They have a shallot-like flavor. They are easy to grow and ideal for hot, dry climates. To grow them, separate bulbs, and plant in the fall 1 inch below surface and 12 inches apart. Bulbs will multiply into clumps and can be harvested throughout the cooler months. Tops will die back in the heat of summer and may return with monsoon rains; bulbs can remain in the ground or be harvested and stored in a cool dry place for planting in the fall. The plants rarely flower; propagation is by division.

Varieties

Common onion group (var. ''cepa'')

Most of the diversity within ''A. cepa'' occurs within this group, the most economically important ''Allium'' crop. Plants within this group form large single bulbs, and are grown from seed or seed-grown sets. The majority of cultivars grown for dry bulbs, salad onions, and pickling onions belong to this group. The range of diversity found among these cultivars includes variation in photoperiod (length of day that triggers bulbing), storage life, flavour, and skin colour. Common onions range from the pungent varieties used for dried soups and onion powder to the mild and hearty sweet onions, such as the Vidalia from Georgia, USA, or Walla Walla from Washington that can be sliced and eaten on a sandwich instead of meat.

European onions

A number of onions have Protected Geographical Status in Europe, these include:

Cipolla Rossa di Tropea, a red onion from Calabria, Italy (''PGI'')

Cipollotto Nocerino, a spring/salad onion-sized ''Allium Ccepa'' from Campania, Italy (''PDO'')

Oignon doux des Cévennes, a sweet onion from the south east of France (''PDO'')

Aggregatum group (var. ''aggregatum'')

This group contains shallots and potato onions, also referred to as multiplier onions. The bulbs are smaller than those of common onions, and a single plant forms an aggregate cluster of several bulbs. They are propagated almost exclusively from daughter bulbs, although reproduction from seed is possible. Shallots are the most important subgroup within this group and comprise the only cultivars cultivated commercially. They form aggregate clusters of small, narrowly ovoid to pear-shaped bulbs. Potato onions differ from shallots in forming larger bulbs with fewer bulbs per cluster, and having a more flattened (onion-like) shape. However, intermediate forms exist.

Species that may be confused with ''A. cepa''

Scallions or salad onions may be grown from the Welsh onion (''A. fistulosum'') as well as from ''A. cepa''. Young plants of ''A. fistulosum'' and ''A. cepa'' look very similar, but may be distinguished by their leaves, which are circular in cross-section in ''A. fistulosum'' rather than flattened on one side.

Hybrids with ''A. cepa'' parentage

A number of hybrids are cultivated that have ''A. cepa'' parentage, such as the tree onion or Egyptian onion (''A. ×proliferum''), Wakegi onion (''A. ×wakegi''), and the triploid onion (''A. ×cornutum'').

Diploid hybrids

The tree onion or Egyptian onion produces bulblets in the flower head instead of flowers, and is now known to be a hybrid of ''A. cepa'' × ''A. fistulosum''. It has previously been treated as a variety of ''A. cepa'', for example ''A. cepa'' var. ''proliferum'', ''A. cepa'' var. ''bulbiferum'', and ''A. cepa'' var. ''viviparum''.

The Wakegi onion is also known to be a hybrid between ''A. cepa'' and ''A. fistulosum'', with the ''A. cepa'' parent believed to be from the 'aggregatum' group of cultivars. It has been grown for centuries in Japan and China for use as a salad onion.

Under the rules of botanical nomenclature, both the Egyptian onion and Wakegi onion should be combined into one hybridogenic species, having the same parent species. Where this is followed, the Egyptian onion is named ''A. ×proliferum'' 'Eurasian group' and the Wakegi onion is named ''A. ×proliferum'' 'East Asian group'.

Triploid onions

The triploid onion is a hybrid species with three sets of chromosomes, two sets from ''A. cepa'' and the third set from an unknown parent. Various clones of the triploid onion are grown locally in different regions, such as 'Ljutika' in Croatia, and 'Pran', 'Poonch' and 'Srinagar' in the India-Kashmir region. 'Pran' is grown extensively in the Northern Indian provinces of Jammu and Kashmir. There are very small genetic differences between 'Pran' and the Croatian clone 'Ljutika', implying a monophyletic origin for this species.

Some authors have used the name ''A. cepa'' var. ''viviparum'' (Metzg.) Alef. for the triploid onion, but this name has also been applied to the Egyptian onion. The only name unambiguously connected with the triploid onion is ''A. ×cornutum''.

Storage

Green onion and leeks are optimally stored refrigerated. Cooking onions and sweet onions, on the other hand, can be stored at room temperature, optimally in a single layer, in mesh bag in a dry, cool, dark, well ventilated location. In this environment, cooking onions have a shelf life of 3 to 4 weeks, and sweet onions 1 to 2 weeks. Cooking onions will absorb odours from apples and pears. Also, they draw moisture from vegetables they are stored with which may cause them to decay. Sweet onions have a greater water and sugar content than cooking onions. This makes them sweeter and milder tasting, but also reduces their shelf life. Sweet onions can also be stored refrigerated; they have a shelf life of approximately 1 month, optimally uncovered. Irrespective of type, any cut pieces of onion are optimally tightly wrapped, stored away from other produce, and used within 2 to 3 days.

Production trends

colspan=2	Top Ten Onion Producers — 2008 (metric tons)
	20,817,295
	8,178,300
	4,003,491
	3,349,170
	2,015,200
	2,007,120
	1,849,275
	1,728,417
	1,712,500
	1,299,815
World Total	72,348,213

The Onion Futures Act, passed in 1958, bans the trading of futures contracts on onions in the United States, after farmers complained about alleged market manipulation by Sam Seigel and Vincent Kosuga at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It provides economists with a unique case study in the effects of futures trading on agricultural prices. It remains in effect .

Pictures

See also

Allicin

Desquamation

Herbalism

List of Allium species

Onion Johnny

Pyruvate scale

Welsh onion

Notes

References

Sen, Colleen T. (2004). ''Food culture in India''. Greenwood Publishing. ISBN 0313324875.

External links

PROTAbase on ''Allium cepa''

Watch the Video: No Cry Onion Chopping (with Jonathon Stewart)

Category:Allium

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name	Stephen Strasburg
width	300
team	Washington Nationals
number	37
position	Starting pitcher
birth date	July 20, 1988
birth place	San Diego, California
bats	Right
throws	Right
debutdate	June 8
debutyear	2010
debutteam	Washington Nationals
statyear	2010 season
stat1label	Win–loss record
stat1value	5–3
stat2label	Earned run average
stat2value	2.97
stat3label	Strikeouts
stat3value	92
stat4label	Walks
stat4value	17
stat5label	WHIP
stat5value	1.12
teams	Washington Nationals (–present)
highlights	On June 8, 2010, struck out fourteen Pittsburgh Pirates batters (Washington Nationals record) }}

}} Stephen James Strasburg (; born July 20, 1988 in San Diego, California) is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed a record $15.1 million contract with the Nationals on August 17, 2009, just 77 seconds before the deadline, breaking a record previously held by Mark Prior, who had signed 93 seconds before the deadline in 2001. He was called the "most-hyped pick in draft history" by ESPN and the "most hyped and closely watched pitching prospect in the history of baseball" by ''Sports Illustrated''.

Amateur career

San Diego State

In 2008, as a sophomore at San Diego State University, Strasburg went 8–3 with a 1.58 earned run average and 134 strikeouts in 98⅓ innings for the San Diego State Aztecs. Four of his thirteen starts in 2008 were complete games, two of which were shutouts. On April 11 of that year, he struck out a Mountain West Conference record 23 batters in a game versus the University of Utah.

Strasburg finished the 2009 season 13–1 with a 1.32 ERA, 59 hits allowed, 16 earned runs, 19 walks, and 195 strikeouts in 109 innings pitched. In his final home start on May 8, 2009, Strasburg threw his first career no-hitter while striking out 17 Air Force batters. His lone loss came against the Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA Regionals as Virginia advanced toward the College World Series, but he still struck out 15 in seven innings during the loss.

In the summer of 2007, Strasburg also played for the Torrington Twisters of the NECBL where he was awarded as the 2007 Top Pro Prospect, 2007 Top Relief Pitcher, and to the 2007 NECBL First Team as a closer.

International play

Strasburg was the lone collegiate player selected for the U.S. Baseball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He had previously pitched for the USA Baseball National Team (College).

In his first start at the Olympics, Strasburg one-hit the Netherlands over seven innings, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. The lone hit Strasburg allowed was a seventh-inning single to Sharnol Adriana. There were two rain delays each lasting at least 90 minutes, and the game was called off after eight innings following the second wait.

With the U.S. having already secured a spot in the semifinals medal round, Team USA Manager Davey Johnson held Strasburg from what should have been his second start on August 20 in order to pitch him in the first round of the semifinals against Cuban Norge Luis Vera. The strategy did not work, as Vera outdueled Strasburg with six innings pitched and only two runs (one earned). Strasburg, meanwhile, lasted only four innings while giving up three runs (two earned). Cuba won the game 10–2.

Strasburg ended up with a 1–1 record, a 1.67 ERA, and a bronze medal for the Olympics, as Team USA won its following contest against Japan 8–4.

Professional career

Draft

On June 9, 2009, Strasburg was drafted number one overall in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Washington Nationals. On August 17, 2009, he signed a record-breaking four-year, $15.1 million contract with the Nationals. Strasburg is represented by agent Scott Boras.

Minor leagues

Strasburg made his professional debut on October 16, 2009, starting for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, which is in Phoenix, Arizona.

Before the 2010 season started, ''Baseball America'' named Strasburg as the top pitching prospect (#2 overall behind Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward) in baseball.

Strasburg was assigned to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators to begin his minor league career. There was so much anticipation and hype surrounding Strasburg that there were about 70 credentialed media members in attendance at his April 11, 2010 debut, and ESPN nationally broadcast portions of the game (only the half-innings in which Strasburg was pitching). He won that debut in Altoona, Pennsylvania, versus the Altoona Curve, allowing four hits and four runs (one earned), while striking out eight batters in five innings. During his first home start on April 16, he yielded two hits and an unearned run with three strikeouts in 2⅓ innings in a loss to the New Britain Rock Cats. Harrisburg set an attendance record in Strasburg's home debut and then topped the previous mark two weeks later in Strasburg's Double-A finale. He completed his Double-A stint with a 1.64 earned run average while striking out 27 and walking six in 22 innings.

On May 4, 2010, he was promoted to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In his first game with the Chiefs, he pitched six scoreless innings, striking out six batters while allowing one hit and one walk. That game had the highest attendance in the 135-year history of baseball in Syracuse. In his second start, Strasburg was removed after pitching six no-hit innings. He finished his minor league stint with an overall record of 7–2, an ERA of 1.30, 65 strikeouts and 13 walks in 55⅓ innings, and a WHIP of 0.80.

Washington Nationals

Strasburg made his major-league debut on June 8, 2010, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A ''Sports Illustrated'' columnist termed it "the most hyped pitching debut the game has ever seen." Strasburg picked up the win in his debut, pitching seven innings, allowing two earned runs and no walks and 14 strikeouts, setting a new team strikeout record. Further, he was the first pitcher in history to strike out at least eleven batters without issuing any walks in his pro debut, while falling just one strikeout short of the all-time record for a pitcher's debut—Karl Spooner (1954) and J. R. Richard (1971) both struck out 15, but each took nine innings to do it, and each walked three. (Bob Feller also struck out 15 in his first start, although it wasn't his big league debut). Strasburg's first career strikeout was of former National Lastings Milledge. He struck out every batter in the Pirates' lineup at least once and sturck out the last seven batters he faced—also a Nationals record. He threw 34 of his 94 pitches at or faster, including two that clocked .

In Strasburg's second and third major league starts he struck out another eight and ten batters, respectively, setting a major league record for the most strikeouts in a pitcher's first three starts with 32. The previous recordholder had been J.R. Richard, who struck out 29 in his first three starts in 1971. Strasburg was also featured in the cover story of ''Sports Illustrated'' following his second start.

Strasburg was placed on the disabled list with an inflamed right shoulder in July 2010. He returned to action on August 10, but in his third game back, on August 21, he was removed with an apparent injury. On August 27, the Nationals announced that Strasburg had a torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery, and about 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation.

In the 2010 season Strasburg pitched in 12 games, all starts, throwing 68 innings, 92 strikeouts and compiling a 2.91 ERA. He was named a pitcher on the 2010 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.

Strasburg made his first rehab start on August 7, 2011 for the Hagerstown Suns. He is reportedly slated to make his 2011 major league debut at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 6, 2011.

Personal life

Strasburg was born in San Diego, California, the son of Kathleen Swett, a dietitian, and Jim Strasburg, a real estate developer. He credits his maternal grandmother with helping him develop his baseball skills as a child. She would frequently play catch and even work on pitching with him. He labels her as one of his biggest inspirations. He was married on January 9, 2010, to Rachel Lackey.

Pitch repertoire

Strasburg's repertoire features four pitches: a two-seam fastball as his primary pitch that moves in on right-handed hitters, a four-seam fastball, a curveball/slider that Strasburg himself refers to as a slurve, and a circle changeup.

References

External links

Washington Post Archives

Stephen Strasburg 5K Walk and Fun Run Strasburg5K.com

Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Washington Nationals players Category:Baseball players from California Category:San Diego State Aztecs baseball players Category:San Diego State University alumni Category:Olympic baseball players of the United States Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States Category:Baseball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Phoenix Desert Dogs players Category:Harrisburg Senators players Category:Syracuse Chiefs players Category:People from San Diego, California Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Tommy John surgery recipients Category:Olympic medalists in baseball

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