Effect of Plant Hormones and Distillation Water on Mints

Abstract

<jats:p>Steam distillation of essential oil crops produces residual distillation wastewater that is released into the environment. This study evaluated the effects of three plant hormones [methyl jasmonate (MJ); gibberellic acid (GA3); and salicylic acid (SA)] at three concentrations and the residual distillation water from 15 plant species applied as foliar spray on biomass yields, essential oil content, and essential oil yield of <jats:italic>Mentha ×piperita</jats:italic> ‘Black Mitcham’ and <jats:italic>Mentha spicata</jats:italic> ‘Native’. Overall, the application of SA at 1000 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> increased biomass yields of both species. More treatments influenced essential oil content in ‘Black Mitcham’ peppermint than in ‘Native’ spearmint. Application of MJ at 100 and 1000 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, GA3 at 10 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, SA at 10 or 100 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, and distillation water of <jats:italic>Achillea millefolium</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Ammi majus</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Artemisia absinthium</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Cymbopogon flexuosus</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Cymbopogon martinii</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Chrysanthemum balsamita</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>Hypericum perforatum</jats:italic> increased the essential oil content of peppermint, whereas the oil content of spearmint was increased only by application of <jats:italic>Monarda fistulosa</jats:italic> distillation water. Application of MJ at 100 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, SA at 100 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, and <jats:italic>A. absinthium</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>C. flexuosus</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>C. balsamita</jats:italic> distillation waters increased essential oil yields of peppermint, whereas the application of SA at 1000 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> and distillation water of <jats:italic>A. absinthium</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Lavandula vera</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>M. fistulosa</jats:italic> increased oil yields of spearmint. This study demonstrated that the residual distillation water of some aromatic plant species may be used as a tool for increasing essential oil content or essential oil yields of peppermint and spearmint crops.</jats:p>

Effect of Foliar Application of Methyl Jasmonate and Extracts of Juniper and Sagebrush on Essential Oil Yield and Composition of ‘Native’ Spearmint

“…For example, previous studies demonstrated that some plant hormones such as MJ may increase carvone concentration of 'Scotch' spearmint (Zheljazkov and Astatkie, 2011a). In another study, the application of MJ had no significant effect on essential oil content of 'Native' spearmint (Zheljazkov et al, 2010b). In the same study, the application of distillation water from wild bergamot (bee balm) (Monarda fistulosa L.) increased the essential oil content, whereas the distillation water of absinthe wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), lavender (Lavandula vera DC), and wild bergamot increased oil yields of 'Native' spearmint (Zheljazkov et al, 2010b).…”

“…'Native' spearmint is a major essential oil crop grown in the Midwest and in the northwestern United States (National Agricultural Statistic Service, 2009). However, 'Native' spearmint has a wide environmental adaptation, and recent studies demonstrated feasibility of growing it under the humid conditions of Mississippi (Zheljazkov et al, 2010a(Zheljazkov et al, , 2010b(Zheljazkov et al, , 2012a. Recent studies in Wyoming indicated that 'Native' spearmint can withstand the first fall frost and apparently could be developed as a crop for northern Wyoming at 1170 m a.s.l.…”

Effect of distillation waste water and plant hormones on spearmint growth and composition

“…Furthermore, this study compared DWW of 13 essential‐oil plants and extracts from two alkaloid‐containing plants ( D. innoxia and G. flavum ) to the effect of well known plant hormones (GA3, JA and SA) on spearmint essential oil composition. A recent study evaluated DWW from other essential‐oil crop species on peppermint and spearmint growth, but not on the essential oil composition 12. We have previously reported that DWW of Achillea millefolium, Ammi majus, Artemisia absinthium, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon martinii, Chrysanthemum balsamita , and Hypericum perforatum increased the essential oil content of peppermint, whereas DWW of Monarda fistulosa increased the oil content of spearmint 12…”

“…Distillation waste water (DWW) is a waste product from the steam distillation of essential‐oil crops 12. Currently, it is being released into streams and rivers, causing environmental concern.…”

“…Previous research studied DWW as an ingredient in marinades for turkey meat, to suppress undesirable flavor 13. A recent study reported the effect of DWW from some essential‐oil crops on peppermint and spearmint essential oil content and yields, but not on oil composition 12. There are a number of other essential‐oil crops for which the DWW has not been investigated.…”