Genetic variation of phenolic compounds content, essential oil composition and anti oxidative activity in Mentha longifolia L. in Israel
Nativ
Dudai1, Daniel Segev1 and Daphna Havkin-Frenkel2
1Division of Aromatic Plants, ARO, Newe Ya'ar , Ramat Yishai , Israel
2 Rutgers University, Dept. of Plant Biology and Pathology, Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Mentha longifolia is indigenous to the Mediterranean area, where it grows in the wild. The plant is traditionally used as an herb in tea and local recipes. We collected samples from the wild and cultivated them in an experimental field at the Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Israel. This work describes the genetic variation of forty different individual plants, which were sourced in the wild and represent the whole distribution area of this species in Israel . We analyzed the essential oils, individual phenols, antioxidant activity in leaves and cell walls. We found two main chemotypes, one containing mainly pulegone and menthone and the other one containing piperitenone oxide and piperitone. By comparing the results of Mentha longifolia to other mint species, we came to the conclusion that this plant has a very high activity of antioxidants, and a very high biomass content. In addition, the Mentha longifolia is fertile and can be used in breeding.
The results suggested that the plant could be used as a source of natural antioxidants and anti microbials in foods.