Variation in essential oil composition, antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal activity during three cuts dates of five Mentha species

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

2 Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, El Bohouth Street, P.O. Box 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the variation in essential oil production, constituents, antioxidant and mosquito larvacidal activities of Mentha suaveolens, Mentha pulegium, Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata and Mentha viridis among three cuts dates. The highest essential oil yields of all species were obtained at the third cut on 1st August. While M. pulegium showed the maximum values at the second cut on 12th June. Monoterpenes represented the majority in the essential oil of all cuts and the oxygenated compounds were dominated (75.78 - 93.93 %) for all species. The second cut on 12th June produced the highest value of linalyl acetate in M. suaveolens, pulegone in M. pulegium and M. longifolia and carvone in M. spicata and M. viridis. While the delay to the third cut on 1st August increased the biosynthesis of L-linalool in M. suaveolens and D-Limonene in M. viridis. The first cut on 4th May in M. suaveolens showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by M. viridis then M. longifolia and M. pulegium. Concerning the larvicidal activities against Culex pipiens, the lowest LC50 and LC90 values were 0.019 and 0.0457 µl with M. pulegium in the second cut and 0.07 and 0.28 µl with M. longifolia in first cut. The second cut on 12th June resulted in 100% mortality of mosquito larvae with the lowest concentrations of oils 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 µl for M. pulegium, M. longifolia and M. suaveolens, respectively. For M. spicata and M. viridis oils the third cut on 1st August recorded 100% mortalities at concentration of 2 microliters. It could be concluded that the date of cut affects rate of accumulation of the major constituents of mint species essential oil and the activity for mortality of mosquito larvae. The essential oil of mint species can be used as natural larvicidal agents and have the potential to provide efficient and safer insecticide for humans and the environment.

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Egyptian Journal of Chemistry
Volume 66, Issue 13 - Serial Number 13
Special Issue: Applied Chemistry for Greener Life and Sustainability
December 2023
Pages 1825-1838

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 January 2023
  • Revise Date: 21 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 February 2023

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