Chemical Composition, Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities of the Essential Oil of Mentha piperita L.

Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz,Marjan Motamedi,Kimia Hemyari,Ramin Miri,Kamiar Zomorodian,Keyvan Pakshir

doi:10.5402/2012/718645

Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, Marjan Motamedi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/718645

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Abstract

Variations in quantity and quality of essential oil (EO) from the aerial parts of cultivated Mentha piperita were determined. The EO of air-dried sample was obtained by a hydrodistillation method and analyzed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antifungal activity of the EO was investigated by broth microdilution methods as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. A biofilm formation inhibition was measured by using an XTT reduction assay. Menthol (53.28%) was the major compound of the EO followed by Menthyl acetate (15.1%) and Menthofuran (11.18%). The EO exhibited strong antifungal activities against the examined fungi at concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 8.0 μL/mL. In addition, the EO inhibited the biofilm formation of Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis at concentrations up to 2 μL/mL. Considering the wide range of the antifungal activities of the examined EO, it might be potentially used in the management of fungal infections or in the extension of the shelf life of food products.

Highlights

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine because of their therapeutic value
The essential oil (EO) of air-dried sample was obtained by a hydrodistillation method and analyzed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
The sample oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and stored in sealed vials at 4◦C before gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine because of their therapeutic value. Peppermint itself has been used for more than 250 years [1]. Mentha piperita, (family Lamiaceae) is a species found in Iran and many parts of the world which has an economical value for its flavoring, odor, and therapeutic properties in foods and cosmetic industrial products. The leaves and flowers of M. piperita have medicinal properties [2, 3]. Peppermint (M. piperita) oil is one of the most popular and widely used essential oils, mostly because of its main components, Menthol, and menthone [4]. M. piperita EO has been shown to cause inhibitory effects against radial fungal growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus species [17]

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