Isolation and identification of the major chemical components found in Spearmint leaves (Mentha viridis) grown in Ahwaz city, Iran

Spearmint is grown for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as oil of spearmint. The main constituents of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistilltion of spearmint plant (Mentha viridis) grown in the city of Ahwaz, Iran, were isolated, purified and their chemical structures were determined by using various spectroscopic techniques. (-)-Carvone (2-Methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one) and Limonene (1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-cyclohexene) were the major components. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil revealed 17 components with Carvone as the most abundant constituents.