Response of Essential Oil and Terpene Contents of Two Mint Genotypes to Different Drying Temperatures before Distillation

Abstract

Two mint genotypes (Hassawi and Baladi) were evaluated in their essential oil and terpene components under 6 drying treatments after harvesting and before oil distillation in Faculty of Met., Env. and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz Univ., Saudi Arabia. Hassawi cv. significantly higher in oil content than Baladi cv. The main terpene components were Menthone (27.71% in Hassawi cv. and 24.04% in Baladi cv.) and Menthol (71.89% in Hassawi cv. and 24.02% in Baladi cv.). Menthone and Menthal concentrations significantly decreased as plant leaves were dried > 60°C/14 days. As drying temperature increased by 1°C essential oil, Menthone and Menthol decreased by 0.005, 0.013 and 0.071%, respectively. Correlation coefficients were 0.96 and 0.94 between oil (%) and Menthone and Menthol, respectively.