Volatile composition and olfactory profile of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) plants

Abstract The composition of volatile oil extracts of pennyroyal ( Mentha pulegium L.) plants was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Those volatiles responsible for the characteristic minty and pungent aroma of this plant were determined by gas chromatography–olfactometry. Volatile oil extracts were found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, mainly pulegone and piperitone oxide, followed by isopulegol, piperitone and piperitenone. Major monoterpenes hydrocarbons were limonene and α ‐pinene, while sesquiterpenoids were detected in low levels. With respect to the aroma characteristics, pulegone was found to have an intense mint, balsamic and pungent aroma. Other compounds with minty notes were isopulegone, piperitol and 1,8‐cineole. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.