Extraction of Mentha spicata L. Volatile Compounds: Evaluation of Process Parameters and Extract Composition

Mint (Mentha spicata L.) is a European aromatic plant, with its essential oil used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is important for natural products, because it is residue free and preserves thermolabile compounds and product characteristics. The aim of this work was to obtain mint essential oil by sub-/supercritical extraction, with and without modifier and in different operational conditions, by hydro-distillation and by Soxhlet with different solvents. The results indicated the SFE highest yield (2.38% w/w) was obtained at 50 A degrees C and 300 bar, with the crossover of yield isotherms occurring between 140 and 170 bar. When using a cosolvent for SFE, the ethanol showed the highest yield, compared to ethyl acetate. The mint essential oil was rich in compounds with therapeutic activities and several substances of industrial interest, such as carvone, cineol, and pulegone, presenting also good antioxidant activity performance.