Seasonal variability of the main components in essential oil of Mentha × piperita L.

Grulova D, De Martino L, Mancini E, Salamon I, De Feo V
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2014


ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND:
Mentha x piperita is animportant and commonly used flavoring plant worldwide. Its constituents, primarily menthol and menthone, change in the essential oil depending on internal and external factors, of which environmental conditions appear very important. The experiment was established in 2010 for three vegetation season, in order to observe the quantitative changes of the main components of peppermint. The determination of menthol, menthone, limonene, menthyl acetate, menthofuran and β-caryophyllene was registered.

RESULTS:
In the experimental season 2011 and 2012 it was noted a higher mean temperature than in 2010 and extreme rainfall were recorded in July 2011 and 2012. Different environmental conditions affected the development of M. x piperita plants and content and composition of the essentialoil.

CONCLUSION:
Seasonal and maturity variations are interlinked each other, because the specific ontogenic growth stage differed as the season progressed. Fluctuations in monthly and seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns affected the quality of peppermint essential oil.

CITATION:

Grulova D, De Martino L, Mancini E et al. Seasonal variability of the main components in essential oil of Mentha × piperita L. J Sci Food Agric. 2014;doi: 10.1002


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