Chemical Composition of Mentha Longifolia Essential Oil from Albania Populations

Jonida Salihila, Aurel Nuro, Aida Dervishi, Dhimitër Peçi, Dorina Shëngjergji

The essential oil of Mentha longifolia L. was analyzed from population of South, South-East and Central Albania. Mentha longifolia is easy to grow, with the same requirements as most mints. Found in most parts of Albania and easy to harvest, wild mint is a popular traditional medicine. Pulegon is the main compound of the plant responsible for most of its pharmacological effects followed by Menthone, Isomenthone, Menthol, 1,8-Cineole, Carvacrol, and Piperitenone. Based on the review of various studies, it can be saw that Mentha longifolia L. is a potential natural source for the development of new drugs. The areal parts of Mentha herbs were sampling in June, 2017. The air dried plant samples were subjected to European Pharmacopoeia apparatus (Clevenger type) for 4 hours to obtain Mentha essential oil. The chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed using GC/FID technique. The oil of each Mentha longifolia L. essential oil samples were injected in a Varian 450 GC. VF-1ms capillary column (30 m x 0.33 mm x 0.25 um) were used for separation of compounds. Monoterpenes (especially oxygenated monoterpenes) were in higher percentage in Mentha longifolia essential oil for all areas. Terpenes that were found in higher percentage were: Cineole, Linalool, Menthol, Pulegon, Carvone, Piperthone, Thymol, beta-Caryophyllene. Their profile was not the same for all studied areas. Profile and leveles of Mentha longifolia L. samples from Central, South-East and South Albania was the same with other reported studies from Balkan and Mediterrean area.