The characteristic odor of garlic is due to ______.

Sulfur:

1. Sulfur is a non-metal with an atomic number of 16.
2. Sulfur is a bitter, odorless, tasteless solid element that is pale yellow and does not dissolve in water completely.
3. The organosulfur compounds present in garlic are S-allyl-I-cysteine, diallyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, allicin, etc.
4. These organosulfur compounds are known to possess potent antioxidative, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties.
5. The sulfur present inside garlic causes bad breath.

Therefore, The characteristic odor of garlic is due to sulfur.