Issue 6, 2022

Bioactive properties of the aromatic molecules of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a review

Abstract

Spearmint belongs to the genus Mentha in the family Labiatae (Lamiaceae), which is cultivated worldwide for its remarkable aroma and commercial value. The aromatic molecules of spearmint essential oil, including carvone, carveol, dihydrocarvone, dihydrocarveol and dihydrocarvyl acetate, have been widely used in the flavors and fragrances industry. Besides their traditional use, these aromatic molecules have attracted great interest in other application fields (e.g., medicine, agriculture, food, and beverages) especially due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. This review presents the sources, properties, synthesis and application of spearmint aromatic molecules. Furthermore, this review focuses on the biological properties so far described for these compounds, their therapeutic effect on some diseases, and future directions of research. This review will, therefore, contribute to the rational and economic exploration of spearmint aromatic molecules as natural and safe alternative therapeutics.

Graphical abstract: Bioactive properties of the aromatic molecules of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a review

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
01 Dec 2021
Accepted
08 Feb 2022
First published
09 Feb 2022

Food Funct., 2022,13, 3110-3132

Bioactive properties of the aromatic molecules of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a review

L. Zhang, Y. Chen, Z. Li, X. Li and G. Fan, Food Funct., 2022, 13, 3110 DOI: 10.1039/D1FO04080D

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