CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OFMENTHA SPICATAL. FROM TUNISIA AND ITS BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

In the present investigation, essential oil (EO) and methanolic extract of Tunisian Mentha spicata leaves were tested for their chemical composition and biological activities. Results showed that EO was characterized by the predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes (92.18%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons and sesquiterpenes whose respective amounts were 2.74 and 3.1% of the whole EO. The main volatile compound of M. spicata EO was L‐menthone, accounting for 32.74% of the total volatiles, followed by pulegone (26.67%). The phenolic composition of methanolic extracts was determined by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The major flavonoid component was apigenin with a mean concentration of 38.4 mg/100 g dry weight. M. spicata leave extract tested for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities showed a significant antiradical and superoxide anion scavenging capacity in addition to the great potential for antimicrobial activities against the bacteria tested. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is an aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. M. spicata L. is commercially cultivated in many regions of the world. Spearmint oil has economical importance and is used in perfumery, confectionary and pharmaceutical preparations. Tunisia is blessed with a rich source of aromatic plants, many of which have not been previously investigated for their chemical constituents and biological potentials. Among these plants, we can mention M. spicata L. (Lamiaceae), which is largely distributed from the humid to the upper arid regions. This work was carried out as a first step for a chemical and biological activity of Tunisian M. spicata through phenolic and essential oil composition. A further isolation and purification of M. spicata phenolics and volatiles will be associated with an application in food industry as antioxidants, additives for food preservation and for enhancing their nutritional value and organoleptic quality. Furthermore, a pharmacological study could be established through in vivo assays in order to discover new anticarcenogenic, anti‐inflammatory, antimutagenic and other activities of M. spicata. Such results could be used in pharmaceutical formulations, leading to new human drugs from this medicinal plant.

Yield, chemical composition and functional properties of essential oils from Mentha spicata (Lamiaceae) in Santiago del Estero, Argentina

“…The IC5 0 values obtained are in agreement with those reported in other studies. Dhifi, Jelali, Mnif, Litaiem, & Hamdi (2013) stated that IC 50 of the essential oils of M. spicata grown in Tunisia was about 10μg/mL (DPPH assay), being in agreement with the present findings. Essential oils compounds such as phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes are capable to inhibit oxidation (Ouerghemmi et al, 2016).…”

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and In vitro Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils of Mentha spicata Leaf from Tiaret Area (Algeria)

“…The IC 50 obtained in our study is superior to those cited by Snoussi et al 5 with a value of 3.08 ± 0.07µg / ml, Hussain et al 18 showed the IC 50 value of 13.3 ± 0.6 µg/ml, and Dhifi et al 27 (10 ± 0.24 µg / ml) but much lower than those registered by Brahmi et al 7 , Moldovan et al 32 , Allali et al 16 , Soni and Sosa 33 , Ebrahimzadeh et al 34 and Nickavar et. al.…”

“…17 M. spicata growing in other countries also contains carvone as one of the major components of its essential oil, e.g., Portugual (41.1%) 22 , Morocco (29.0%) 26 , Bangladesh (73.29%) 20 and Serbia (49.52%). 15 Nevertheless, Dhifi et al 27 24 Other explanation for the differences in oil content and composition may be attributed to factors related to ecotype, phenophases, temperature, relative humidity, photoperiod, irradiance, genotype, and agronomic conditions (harvesting time, plant age, crop density). 5 In addition, the duration of sunshine, the movement of air and precipitation can play roles in the difference in composition of essential oils.…”

Plants of Genus Mentha: From Farm to Food Factory

“…In a similar way, Ait-Ouazzou et al [ 179 ] highlighted that M. pulegium essential oil antibacterial activity against S. aureus , L. monocytogenes , S. enteritidis and E. coli was higher than galingale ( Cyperus longus ) and juniper ( Juniperus phoenicea ) . Dhifi et al [ 180 ] also reported that M. spicata essential oil showed high activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus (S. epidermidis and S. aureus) and Gram-negative Salmonella and E. coli species. Soković et al [ 181 ] found that M. × piperita and M. spicata essential oils were more active against pathogenic bacteria B. subtilis , E. coli , Pseudomonas ( P. mirabilis , P. aeruginosa ), Salmonella ( S. enteritidis , S. typhimurium) and S. aureus spp.…”