Inter and intra GC-MS differential analysis of the essential oils of three Mentha species growing in Egypt

Abstract

Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis using head space was carried out on the roots, stems and leaves of three different species of Mint grown in Egypt. This study was carried out aiming to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from roots, stem and leaves of Mentha piperita L, Mentha spicata Var. crispa L. and Mentha pulegum L. Also, we are looking to find out any difference in chemical composition between the studied species, through their studied organs. Study of different organs of the same species may give us an idea about the essential oil biosynthetic pathway and may serve as the chemotaxonomic marker for a specific species.Identification of the chemical components of the studied essential oils depends on their retention time, their Kovat retention index and their mass spectrum supported by the data from Wiley library. Results obtained revealed an obvious inter or intra differences in the chemical composition of the three mentioned Mentha species. The common components in all species (in one or more organ) are 35 components, the major of which is P-menthone (32.24%) in Mentha piperita leaf. Regarding the unique components it was found that Mentha piperita contain 7 unique components the major of which is 2,4-(10)-thujadien (3.88%), while Mentha spicata has 18 unique components the major one is Cymene (24.44%) and finally Mentha pulegum has 11 unique components the major one is (+)-Isomenthol (16.64%).