Original scientific paper

Composition of Free and Glycosidically Bound Volatiles of Mentha aquatica L.

Igor Jerković ; Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Split, N. Tesle 10IV, 21 000 Split, Croatia
Josip Mastelić ; Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Split, N. Tesle 10IV, 21 000 Split, Croatia

Abstract

Free and glycosidically bound volatiles of mentha aquatica L. were investigated. Free volatile compounds were isolated from the dried plant material by hydrodistillation and glycosides by extraction with water during hydrodistillation. Free volatile compounds (essential oil) as well as the aglycones obtained after the hydrolysis of glycosides were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (10.47%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (20.09%) and oxygen containing compounds (68.42%). The major components of the essential oil were: menthofuran (3978.08 mg kg-1), 1,8-cineole (1716.44 mg kg-1) and trans-caryophyllene (1109.20 mg kg-1). After enzymatic hydrolysis, the major volatile aglycones were: 1-octen-3-ol (30.22 mg kg-1), eugenol (10.21 mg kg-1), 2-phenylethanol (6.81 mg kg-1), 3-hexen-1-ol (5.35 mg kg-1), perilla alcohol (4.13 mg kg-1), 1-hexanol (3.58 mg kg-1), and 3-octanol (2.44 mg kg-1). Moderate similarity was found between volatile aglycones and the corresponding free volatiles in the essential oil. Acidic hydrolysis, after enzymatic hydrolysis, liberated additional amounts of aglycones. Approx. 38% of the glycosides were not hydrolyzed by the used enzyme.

Keywords

Mentha aquatica L.; Lamiaceae; essential oil; volatile aglycones; menthofuran; 1,8-cineole; 1-octen-3-ol; eugenol

Hrčak ID:

131833

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/131833

Publication date:

2.4.2001.

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