Abstract
The occurrence of menthofuran in Mentha arvensis is reported for the first time. From 0.01 to 0.04 per cent of the heterocycle was determined by means of coupled gas-liquid—thin-layer chromatography in genuine essential oils obtained from plants grown in Argentina, Brazil, Formosa, India, Japan, and South Africa. Its presence at such low concentrations could not be detected by conventional chemical tests, e.g., Flückiger's reaction, or by modern instrumental techniques, including ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometry applied to analytical specimens directly. The classical distinction between Mentha piperita (peppermint) and M. arvensis (mint), ostensibly based on the presence or absence of menthofuran, is therefore no longer justifiable. Other mint species, including spearmints (Mentha cardiaca Gerard ex Baker cultivar Scotch or Highland spearmint, Mentha spicata L. cultivar common or native American spearmint, and Mentha viridis), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L. and Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) Pers.), bergamot mint (Mentha citrata Ehrh.), Mentha sylvestris L., and Mentha rotundifolia, contained trace amounts of menthofuran also. The experimental data suggest a reappraisal of presently acknowledged concepts regarding both biogenesis and chemotaxonomy of the genus Mentha. The occurrence of menthofuran in Mentha arvensis is reported for the first time. From 0.01 to 0.04 per cent of the heterocycle was determined by means of coupled gas-liquid—thin-layer chromatography in genuine essential oils obtained from plants grown in Argentina, Brazil, Formosa, India, Japan, and South Africa. Its presence at such low concentrations could not be detected by conventional chemical tests, e.g., Flückiger's reaction, or by modern instrumental techniques, including ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometry applied to analytical specimens directly. The classical distinction between Mentha piperita (peppermint) and M. arvensis (mint), ostensibly based on the presence or absence of menthofuran, is therefore no longer justifiable. Other mint species, including spearmints (Mentha cardiaca Gerard ex Baker cultivar Scotch or Highland spearmint, Mentha spicata L. cultivar common or native American spearmint, and Mentha viridis), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L. and Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) Pers.), bergamot mint (Mentha citrata Ehrh.), Mentha sylvestris L., and Mentha rotundifolia, contained trace amounts of menthofuran also. The experimental data suggest a reappraisal of presently acknowledged concepts regarding both biogenesis and chemotaxonomy of the genus Mentha.
Published Version
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