Plants of Genus Mentha: From Farm to Food Factory

Abstract

Genus Mentha, a member of Lamiaceae family, encompasses a series of species used on an industrial scale and with a well-described and developed culture process. Extracts of this genus are traditionally used as foods and are highly valued due to the presence of significant amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds. Many essential oil chemotypes show distinct aromatic flavor conferred by different terpene proportions. Mint extracts and their derived essential oils exert notable effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi or yeasts, tested both in vitro or in various food matrices. Their chemical compositions are well-known, which suggest and even prompt their safe use. In this review, genus Mentha plant cultivation, phytochemical analysis and even antimicrobial activity are carefully described. Also, in consideration of its natural origin, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, a special emphasis was given to mint-derived products as an interesting alternative to artificial preservatives towards establishing a wide range of applications for shelf-life extension of food ingredients and even foodstuffs. Mentha cultivation techniques markedly influence its phytochemical composition. Both extracts and essential oils display a broad spectrum of activity, closely related to its phytochemical composition. Therefore, industrial implementation of genus Mentha depends on its efficacy, safety and neutral taste.

Improving Phenolic Total Content and Monoterpene in Mentha x piperita by Using Salicylic Acid or Methyl Jasmonate Combined with Rhizobacteria Inoculation

“…Also, in view of the environmental, food-safety and health related issues associated with the application of chemical insecticides, growing emphasis is being laid on pest control through plant resources. In addition to the menthol and pulegone present in the essential oil of the Mentha species, which are the substances that give mints their characteristic aromas and flavors [4,110,111], they are also found to possess insecticidal, antiviral and fungicidal activities. Pulegone showed potent insecticidal activity against the mushroom scatopsid fly, Scatopse spp., in fumigant bioassay [112], and significant antibacterial activity is also observed for Mentha oil due to the presence of menthol [113].…”

Impact of Natural Compounds on Neurodegenerative Disorders: From Preclinical to Pharmacotherapeutics

“…TMS has also showed efficacy in promoting clinical recovery after stroke and NDDs, the latter including vascular and post-stroke dementias, but this applicability is still in its infancy [1,8]. Other non-pharmacological approaches, for example, Shiatsu, physical activity, music therapy, have also showed beneficial effects for Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with several types of dementia [9,10]. The undesirable side-effects associated with some pharmacological compounds, used in conventional medicine, support the relevance of creating alternative therapies with higher efficacy and bioavailability, and fewer side-effects [11,12].…”

“…Man's reliance on nature for treating illness predates recorded history, and the plant kingdom is one of the most important sources of medicines [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. The medicinal properties of plants are mostly ascribed to secondary phytochemical metabolites [10].…”

Soil or Vermiculite-Applied Microencapsulated Peppermint Oil Effects on White Mustard Initial Growth and Performance

“…Peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), a natural hybrid of Mentha aquatica L. and Mentha spicata L., is cultivated broadly in the world. It is a valuable species due to production of essential oil (EO), applied in different industries [1,2]. In vitro studies showed, that peppermint EO displays also significant allelopathic and phytotoxic potential, by inhibiting germination and early growth of various weeds [3].…”