Scotch spearmint

Spearmint oils are obtained by steam distillation of the flowering herbs of Mentha spicata L. (native spearmint) and Mentha cardiaca Ger. (Scotch spearmint). They are colorless to yellow-green liquids with a fresh, caraway-minty odor. 

Spearmint Oil occurs as a colorless, yellow, or green-yellow liquid having the characteristic odor and taste of spearmint. It is the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation from the fresh overground parts of the flowering plant Mentha spicata L. (Common Spearmint), or of Mentha cardiaca Gerard ex Baker (Scotch Spearmint) (Fam. Labiatae). It may be rectified by distillation. 

Source Mentha viridis L. (syn. M. spicata L.) var. crispa Benth. for Common (Native) Spearmint [283-656-2 84696-51-5] and Mentha cardiaca Gerard ex Baker for Scotch Spearmint [294-809-8 91770-24-0]. 

Composition (-)-Carvone, which is present in a concentration of 60-70%, functions as main aroma carrier. Dihydro cumic alcohol and carvyl acetate are also assumed to contribute to the overall aroma profile. Furthermore, limonene, 3-octanol, trans-sab-inene hydrate, cis-dihydrocarvone and P-bourbonene occur in marked amounts. Virid-iflorol (0.1-0.5%) is only detectable in the native oil type. In its monographs ISO distinguishes between Native , Chinese (80%, 60%) , Indian and Scotch Type [228]. For further literature on the composition of native spearmint and Scotch spearmint see also [229]. 

GC-MS has been utilized to analyze the composition of orange, spearmint, and peppermint oil. In each case, low levels of a large variety of substituted pyridines were detected. From Valencia orange oil, nineteen substituted pyridines were detected, the major component of these being 3-hexylpyridine ( 20 ppb) [304], From scotch spearmint oil, thirty-three substituted pyridines were detected (eleven newly identified), including 2-acetyl-4-isopropenylpyridine (3.34 ppm) [305], The major component in a mix of substituted pyridines from peppermint oil was 4-isopropyl-2-methyl pyridine (1.90 ppm) [305]. 

To further use tills concept to differentiate between other oils produced in the United States from different re ons we attempted to differentiate between Native spearmint oils (ex. Mentha spicata L.) grown in the Midwest and in the Farwest. Similarly, we also attempted to differentiate between Scotch spearmint oils (ex. Meniha gracilis soleV which are also produced in the Midwest and the Farwest. We could not use lighter regional differences between the oils because the oils are not sold according to the state or valley in which they are produced, only by the broad regions of Midwest and Farwest. 

Bicyclo[2,l,l]hexane.—This interesting terpenoid (248) has been isolated from Scotch spearmint (Mentha x cardiaca), and one wonders whether it has been missed on earlier occasions in view of its isomerization to myrcene (17) and the cyclopentane (249) at temperatures above 170 °C. The authors of this work discuss the possibility of its being an artefact from myrcene (known to form it by... 

Synonyms cas 8008-79-5 oil of spearmint common spearmint scotch spearmint garden mint green... 

Production By steam distillation from the flowering shrub of the crisped or curled mint species Mentha spicata ( native spearmint ) and Mentha cardiaca ( Scotch spearmint ). The main areas of cultivation are the American states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington as well as Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin ( Middle West ) oil production in 1992 was ca. 32001. It is also cultivated in smaller amounts in China and India production in 1992 ca. 500 t. 

The cultivation of spearmint is centered in the western U.S. which produces ca. 80% of the total world production (2000 tons) [15]. The essential oil is extremely popular particularly in chewing gum, toothpaste, and some sugar confectionery. Most of the crop is distilled in the growing regions where yields of up to 40 Ib/acre are obtained. There is a growing danand for the so-called Scotch spearmint, which is cultivated in the Midwestern states, as many consider this oil to have a sweeter and more rounded profile. 

Table 6. Characteristic components of Scotch and native spearmint oils...

The compositions of Scotch and native spearmint oils differ as shown in Table 6 [486, 635-637a]. The main producer of spearmint oil is the United States, primarily the state of Washington. Smaller amounts are also produced in some Midwest states. Total annual production is about 1500t, 30 50% being of the native type and 50-70% of the Scotch type [637b]. Other minor cultivation areas for spearmint oils exist in China and India where oils with up to 80% carvone are produced [634b-634d]. 

Oil of spearmint - Part 4 Scotch variety (Mentha x gracilis Sole)... 

The compositions of Scotch and native spearmint oils differ, as shown in Table 6 [486, 635-637a]. The main producer of spearmint oil is the United States, primarily the state of Washington. Smaller amounts are also produced in some Midwest states. 

Spearmint, Scotch Mentha gracilis Sole Lamiaceae Leaf Cult HQ... 

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