General mints

Flavor. Dentifrices are used to refresh the oral cavity. Flavor oils and other flavoring materials are key to that function (see Flavors and spices). Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) flavors or flavors from approved lists are used. The most popular flavors are peppermint [8006-90-4], spearmint [8008-79-5], cinnamon [8006-79-9], and mixtures of these. Menthol is a principal constituent of the mint flavors and a source of refreshment and coolness. 

An oral dental riase geaeraHy coasists of water, alcohol, a humectant, an emulsifier, flavor, color, and an active agent. Water is the primary vehicle. The alcohol provides bite and is also a formulation aid. The humectant improves the feel ia the mouth and also prevents locking of the cap to the container between uses glycerin or noncrystaUiziag sorbitol may be satisfactory. The emulsifier is a nonionic type, for example, a polyoxyethylene—polyoxypropylene block copolymer or a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester. Flavors are generally a type of mint or cinnamon. Colors are FD C or D C. 

Production. Many industrial processes exist for the production of menthols. For (—)-menthol, isolation from peppermint oil (see Mint Oils) competes with partial and total syntheses. When an optically active compound is used as a starting material, optical activity must be retained throughout the synthesis, which generally consists of several steps. Total syntheses or syntheses starting from optically inactive materials require either resolution of racemic mixtures or asymmetric synthesis of an intermediate. Recently used processes are the following ... 

The volatile-oil stills used by mint growers in the United States for the production of peppermint and spearmint oils are of the type required for any large-scale production of volatile oils from plants when the aerial portions or roots are used. Various modifications are possible with respect to capacity, source of steam, method of operation, and other features to fit the particular needs and circumstances. To determine the market possibilities of a volatile oil not already in commercial use a small still that will hold a few hundred pounds of material can be used to advantage. Such a still may have the same general design as a commercial still, but it will cost less. 

The taste options for hard candy are generally fruit flavours and also cough drops types (herbals, mint, eucalyptus etc.). 

Though generally considered harmless and present in a number of remedies for weight loss or to lower cholesterol, adverse effects have also been reported for use of the mints germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) and T. polium. For example, acute hepatitis, nausea, and asthenia (loss of energy and strength) were common symptoms in nine cases associated with their use... 

Zhou, T. and Liu, H.T, A General Three Dimensional Model for PEM Fuel Cells, mint. J. 

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