Chemical compositions of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Peppermint is scientific named Mentha peperita L. belongs to Lamiaceae family. The Mediterranean region can be described as the center of the genus. Peppermint is one of most important medicinal plants that was used in food, cosmetics hygienic industries in most ofthe developed countries. Mentha species have strong anti-spasmodic, anti-sickness, anti-helminthic, carminative and stomachic activities. Breeding programs need to identify the best land races as base population. Existence sufficient genetic diversity also is important in selection the superior cultivars. Mentha piperita L. or peppermint oil is one of the most popular and widely used essential oils, mostly because of its main components menthol and menthone. This study was conducted to determine the major components of peppermint cultivated in Isfahan province. The aerial parts of plants were collected in Isfahan (Semirom) Province in 2014. The aerial parts of plants analyzed by using GC/MS in Islamic Azad University Isfahan (Khorasgan). Twenty five compounds were identified in aerial parts of peppermint. The results obtained in the study showed that major components of peppermint were Camphane (15.203%), Menthone (12.013%), Menthol (11.406%), β-Pinene (7.62%), Pulegone (6.42%), β-Cubebene (4.95%), α-Pinene (4.012%), γ-Terpinene (4.081%), Carane (3.82%) and Piperiton (3.05%). This land race was collected from Isfahan province having high amount of Camphane, Menthone and Menthol so is promising population for breeding programs vi