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: Peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant of Lamiaceae family is a natural hybrid from M. aquatica × M. spicata. The plant is cultivated in a temperate region of Asia, Iran, Europe,United States, India and Mediterranean countries due to their commercial value and distinct aroma.
Menthol is one of the most important flavouring additives besides vanilla and citrus. The demand for menthol is high and it was previously estimated that the worldwide use of menthol was 30 – 32,000 metric tonnes per annum. pepermint oil and its constituents and derivatives are used in food, pharmaceutical and perfumery and flavouring industry. Its main constituent, menthol, is used in the manufacture of lozenges, toothpastes, pain balms, cold balms, etc
steam distillation
The terpenes with about 52 % of monoterpenes and 9 % of sesquiterpenes are the most important components of peppermint leaves. Peppermint essential oil is containing high concentrations of menthol and menthone .