Effect of Storage Duration and Condition on Essential Oil Components of Mentha aquatica L.

This study examines how different storage conditions and times affect the essential oil (EO) percentage and components of dried water mint. Samples were collected from water mint flowering branches at a natural habitat. The experiment involved 18 treatments and 3 replications and was used by CRD. The treatments included two storage conditions (refrigeration at 4±1 °C, and storage in the shaded room at 25±2 °C with adequate airflow), three storage times (60, 120, and 365 days after drying), and three drying methods (shade-drying at 25±2 °C, oven-drying at 40 °C, and microwave-drying at 200 W). Results revealed that an increase in storage time led to a decrease in EO components, which was more noticeable in samples stored at 25±2 °C conditions compared to those stored at 4±1 °C. Additionally, the type and amount of EO components differed under various storage conditions. The main compound in water mint EO was 1,8-cineole, with its highest content (26.55%) in samples dried in an oven at 40 °C and kept in the refrigerator for 120 days. The second significant EO compound was trans-caryophyllene, with higher content in shade-dried plants kept at 25±2 °C for 120 days and lower content in samples dried in a 200 W microwave and kept at 2±4°C with storage for 365 days. The optimal treatment was oven-drying at 40 °C and storage at 25±2 °C, which maintained EO components significantly better than other treatment groups. Findings could help the cosmetics industry produce required compounds through better management of EO components.

Effect of Storage Duration and Condition on Essential Oil Components of Mentha aquatica L. Keywords:

Monoterpenes , 1 , 8-cineole , Microwave , postharvest