Species Mentha arvensis

Menthol is the isomer that occurs most widely in nature. It is the main component of peppermint and cornmint oils obtained from the Mentha piperita and Mentha arvensis species. Esterified menthol also occurs in these oils (e.g., as the acetate and iso valerate). Other menthol stereoisomers may be present in these oils as well. 

Therea renumerous species of mint including peppermint, Mcnf/zapipenta, spearmint, Mentha spicata, and cornmint, Mentha arvensis. Mentha piperita is actually a hybrid species bred from spearmint Mentha spicata and watermint Mentha aquatica. They all contain subspecies and chemotypes. Mints have a long tradition of culinary, fragrance, cosmetic and therapeutic applications. 

Menthol can be extracted from various species of mint. Commint (Mentha arvensis) contains the highest levels of 1-menthol and therefore is the major variety cultivated for menthol production. Mint is grown in China, India, Brazil and the United States. Because of the vagaries of climate and competition for land from other agricultural products, the supply of natural menthol is not stable. Price and availability fluctuate and these movements have a major impact on the economics of the various synthetic processes for 1-menthol. When natural menthol is scarce, the synthetic materials command a high price and marginal processes become economically attractive. When the natural material is in abundant supply, only the more efficient of the synthetic processes will compete. The most competitive synthetic processes are those of Symrise and Takasago hence their market domination. 

Menthol is 3-hydroxy-p-menthane. It occurs widely in mint species and the richest source is commint Mentha arvensis, up to 85%). The three unsaturated analogues shown in Figure 4.9 occur in many mint oils. Pulegol also occurs in Eucalyptus citriodora and rose oils, isopulegol can account for up to 10% of the oil of E. citriodora and piperitol occurs... 

On the other hand, numerous species of the genus are really polymorphic concerning their vola tile compounds. Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata, Mentha arvensis, and also natural hybrids like Mentha dumetorum exhibit a wide spectrum of essential oil compounds, and many chemotypes has been reported (Tetenyi, 1970 Lawrence, 2007 Baser et al., 2012). 

Menthol belongs to the group of monocyclic terpenes, which can be found as a major compound in the EO of leaves of mentha species like Mentha piperita and Mentha arvensis. 

Many monoterpenes have found application in perfumery, aromatherapy, as cosmetics and insecticides. Menthol, a constituent of essential oils from Mentha species, is the most widely used monoterpene. It is contained in pharmaceuticals, oral health care products, chewing gums, and tobacco products (Croteau et al., 2005). More than 7,000 t of menthol are produced every year either by total synthesis or from the steam-distilled essential oil of corn-mint Mentha arvensis var. piperascens). The cooling sensation stimulated by menthol is caused by excitation of cation channels that serve as thermal receptors (Jordt et al, 2003). 

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