Water deficit-induced alterations in chemical composition of fresh vs. dried peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Authors : Berkant Ödemiş, İpek Duman
Pages : 952-966
Doi:10.37908/mkutbd.1792505
View : 52 | Download : 191
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :In this study, the effects of water stress on the fresh and dried herbage yield, essential oil content, and the composition of 25 different volatile oil constituents of Mentha piperita L. were investigated. The experiment was conducted under controlled pot conditions with four irrigation regimes: field capacity (100%, no stressed–NS), 75% of field capacity (mild stress–MS), 50% (moderate stress–MdS), and 25% (severe stress–SS). Herbage yield decreased with increasing water stress. While the essential oil percentage increased under mild and moderate stress, severe stress reduced total oil yield due to biomass loss. Viridiflorol showed the largest decrease, with a 50% reduction under MdS. The highest increases after drying were observed under non-stressed conditions, with γ-terpinene (198%), germacrene-D (83%) and terpinen-4-ol (68%). Water stress and drying significantly altered the concentrations of monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds, leading to distinct compositional profiles between fresh and dried herbage. Essential oil constituents in fresh herbage exhibited a more dispersed and independent profile, whereas post-drying metabolic relationships became more structured and pronounced. Correlation analyses demonstrated strong positive and negative relationships among certain alcohols, esters, ketones, and sesquiterpenes, which were associated with common biosynthetic pathways and post-harvest processing effects. Drying was found to influence both the quantitative and qualitative profiles of essential oils, highlighting the importance of optimal processing methods. The stress levels at which the greatest increases or decreases in compound concentrations were observed were generally no stress and mild water stress conditions.
Keywords : Mentha piperita L, Su stresi, Kurutma, Yağ verimi, Uçucu yağ bileşikleri

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL