Seasonal variation in essential oil content and chemical profile of mint in southeast of Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the influence of seasonality in essential oil (EO) chemical composition Mentha x piperita L. and viridis grown southeast Brazil. Leaves were collected from November 2011 until August 2013, middle following seasons: Spring (November), Summer (February), Autumn (May) Winter (August). EO extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation Clevenger apparatus for 1 hour. Chemical analyzed GC-FID GC-MS. The content its influenced both species. highest obtained M. during spring (4.26%) (3.30%) summer (3.70%). increased menthol (16.31 to 41.26%), neomenthol (3.02 6.39%) menthone (5.56 41.58%) contents summer, respectively. Whereas, did not show a quality response pattern relation seasonality. Therefore, harvest time is recommended spring, summer.