Review of Related Literature

The investigation of alternative and sustainable sources of electricity has become increasingly
crucial in addressing the rising global energy demand. Among different organic feedstocks, garlic
(Allium sativum) has emerged as a material of interest due to its bioactive compounds,
particularly allicin, and its biomass, which can be processed into electroactive materials. Prior
studies have examined the potential of garlic and its derivatives in electricity generation and
energy storage systems, showing favorable implementations in both triboelectric and
electrochemical domains. This review critically assesses recent research on garlic-based
electricity generation, highlighting the basic mechanisms, material enhancements, and
implications for sustainable energy development.

According to Roy et al. (2020), allicin, a key bioactive compound found in garlic, significantly
improves the triboelectric properties of cellulosic nanogenerators. The study demonstrated that
the presence of allicin not only improved the efficiency of mechanical-to-electrical energy
conversion but also highlighted the active role of natural garlic compounds in facilitating
electricity generation. These findings indicate that the molecular structure and chemical
properties of garlic have a crucial role in energy-harvesting processes. By applying garlic as a
renewable, bio-based material, the study suggests a novel and sustainable approach in developing
advanced energy-harvesting technologies that combine environmental friendliness with high
performance and practical applicability.

Supporting this, Liu et al. (2023) reported that waste garlic peels can be transformed into
nitrogen self-doped porous carbon materials suitable for high-performance supercapacitors. The
study demonstrated that the garlic-derived carbon possesses excellent charge mobility and
remarkable electrochemical stability, enabling efficient energy storage and reliable performance
over multiple cycles. These properties highlight the potential of garlic biomass as a sustainable
and renewable material for energy-related applications. This finding highlights the feasibility of
converting agricultural waste into functional and high-value materials for electricity generation
and affirms the importance of exploring garlic biomass as a resource for developing eco-friendly
and cost-effective energy technologies.

Similarly, Ji et al. (2021) demonstrated that activated carbon derived from garlic peel possesses a
high surface area and excellent electroconductivity. These properties make it highly suitable as
an electrode material, enabling effective electron transfer and stable performance in energy
storage systems. The study highlights the practical potential of garlic biomass for bioelectric
applications, showing that agricultural byproducts can be efficiently repurposed into functional
materials. Leveraging garlic as a natural and renewable material offers potential not only for
sustainable electricity production but also for the development of greener energy technologies.
As reported by Shen et al. (2024), garlic stem-derived porous carbon can serve as a high-capacity
anode for lithium and sodium-ion batteries. The study demonstrated that this material maintained
stable long-term cycling performance and delivered high electrical output, highlighting its
efficiency and reliability in energy storage implementations. By changing garlic biomass into
functional electrode materials, this research highlights its potential as a renewable and
sustainable resource for advanced energy systems, providing a promising strategy for developing
eco-friendly and high-performance electricity generation technologies.

Furthermore, Atmanda (2025) observed that garlic skin and carbon fibers obtained from
agricultural and industrial waste have been effectively applied in different energy storage
devices. The study showcased that these byproducts can be transformed into electroactive
materials suitable for supercapacitors and batteries, indicating excellent performance and
stability. The transformation of garlic waste into functional energy materials offers considerable
environmental and economic advantages, while also highlighting its promising role in promoting
sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

As supported by the literature, the chemical compounds, particularly allicin, and structural
characteristics of garlic biomass provide a strong basis for exploring its electricity-generating
potential. This can be understood through triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) theory, which
describes how mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy via contact electrification
and electrostatic generation, properties that garlic’s surface and molecular composition can
improve (Shi et al., 2024). Additionally, bio-electrochemical energy recovery theory explains
how organic materials can serve as substrates in microbial fuel cells, where biochemical
reactions generate electricity, and garlic biomass can provide electrons and nutrients to support
this process (Kuity & Sambrani, 2025). Together, these structures point out garlic’s potential as a
versatile, renewable material for sustainable energy generation and the practical utilization of
agricultural waste in eco-friendly bioelectric applications.

In conclusion, these findings highlight the versatility of garlic as a renewable and sustainable
material, capable of supporting both triboelectric and electrochemical energy applications. They
further emphasize its potential to convert agricultural waste into valuable, environmentally
friendly resources for energy generation. By showcasing consistent electrical performance,
stability, and scalability, garlic biomass develops not only as a potential bio-based material for
innovative energy technologies but also as a model for incorporating natural, low-cost resources
into sustainable energy systems. This highlights the overall impact of exploring organic materials
in developing eco-friendly, high-performance solutions to meet the growing global demand for
renewable energy.

REFERENCES:
RRL -

Roy, S., Ko, H.-U., Maji, P. K., Le Van Hai, L., & Kim, J. (2020). Large amplification of
triboelectric property by allicin to develop high performance cellulosic triboelectric
nanogenerator. Chemical Engineering Journal, 385, 123723.
[Link]

Liu, S., Dong, K., Guo, F., Qiao, Q., Xu, L., Wang, J., Kong, L., Zhang, Y., Chang, J., & Yan, W.
(2023). Green synthesis of nitrogen self-doped porous carbons from waste garlic peels for high-
performance supercapacitor applications. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 173,
106063. [Link]

Ji, T., Han, K., Teng, Z., Li, J., Wang, M., Zhang, J., Cao, Y., & Qi, J. (2021). Synthesis of
activated carbon derived from garlic peel and its electrochemical properties. International
Journal of Electrochemical Science, 16(1), 150653. [Link]

Shen, G., Li, B., Xu, Y., Chen, X., Katiyar, S., Zhu, L., Xie, L., Han, Q., Qiu, X., Wu, X., & Cao,
X. (2024). Waste biomass garlic stem-derived porous carbon materials as high-capacity and long-
cycling anode for lithium/sodium-ion batteries. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science,
653(Part B), 1588–1599. [Link]

Atmanda, A. (2025). Energy storage device utilising garlic skin and carbon fibre derived from
agricultural and industrial waste: A review. Journal of Material and Metamaterial Sciences, 1(1),
1-6. Retrieved from [Link]

CONCEPT/THEORY -

Shi, Z., Zhang, Y., Gu, J., Liu, B., Fu, H., Liang, H., & Ji, J. (2024). Triboelectric
nanogenerators: state of the art. Sensors, 24(13), 4298. [Link]

Kuity, N. T., & Sambrani, S. A. (2025). Bio-electrochemical energy recovery: the role of
microbial fuel cells in waste utilization. Discover Biotechnology, 2, 17.
[Link]