Effect of pollutants on the volatile oil of Mentha piperita L leaves and cardiac glycosides of Digitalis lanata EHRH leaves

ABSTRACT

The percentage yields of volatile oil of Mentha piperita L. leaves in the control samples and samples exposed to some air pollutants were determined. This percentage decreased in plants exposed to lead, cement and limestone dust pollution, while it increased in case of sulfate pollution after the first week. Hydrochloric acid pollution gave a mild increasing effect. Lead, sulfate, cement and limestone pollution showed a great decrease in menthone concentration and an increase in the percentage of menthol and menthofuran concentrations. Hydrochloric acid pollution showed a mild decrease in menthone, an increase in menthol and no increase in menthofuran. M-hydroxy coumaric acid was isolated from polluted samples of M. piperita L. leaves and its structure was elucidated by means of mass spectroscopy and high resolution 1H-NMR