comparative study of the essential oils from certain mentha and saliva species grown in Egypt

ABSTRACT

The composition of the hydro-distilled essential oils obtained from the leaves of three mentha species viz. M. longifolia L. [Huds.] subspecies Schimperi [Briq.] Harley, M. piperita L. and M. spicata L. and two samples of Salvia officinalis L. collected from different locations was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic techniques [Gc-MS]. Piperitenone was the major constituent of M. longifolia L. essentia1 oil [21.57%], followed by isoborneol [13.84%] and 1,8-cineole [11.63%]. L-menthone [22.91%] constituted the main component of M. piperita L. essential oil, followed by cis-myrtanol [13.55%] and menthofuran [13.34%]. While, pulegone amounted [42.54%] of the essential oil of M. spicata L., followed by 1,8-cineole [13.45%]. Concerning the essential oil of S. officinalis L. [Giza], alpha-thujone [17.72%] was the major component, followed by camphor [13.29%] and 1,8-cineole [9.38%]. Camphor [33.35%] constituted the main component of S. officinalis L. Essential oil collected from Sinai, followed by alpha-thujone [18.87%] and 1,8-cineole [8.86%]. Antimicrobial screening showed that M. longifolia L. [Huds.] essential oil has a powerful antimicrobial activity, while M. spicata L. showed a moderate activity