Mint is an aromatic perennial herb known as pudina that is used widely for flavoring foods and beverages. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and several mint species are commercially grown for their essential oils. The major mint species discussed are Japanese mint, peppermint, spearmint, and bergamot mint. Mint is high in nutrients and antioxidants and has several health benefits such as aiding digestion, reducing stress and depression, and potentially improving brain function. It is cultivated globally and harvested for its leaves and oil which are used in products like toothpaste for their flavor and scent.

1. MINT
PRESENTED BY,
SNEHA KARAYIL SANTHOSH
SONA JOSEPH
SONA KURIEN
SREEHARI B
SREELAKSHMI B

2. INTRODUCTION
Mint is an aromatic perennial herb, popularly known as “Pudina” in India and
scientifically known as “Mentha”
Mint is an energizing herb that can add flavour to many dishes
Mint is used in cooking as a flavouring agent and mint oil used for flavouring mouth
washes, toothpastes
Mints belong to the genus Mentha, in the family Labiatae (Lamiaceae) which includes
other commonly grown essential oil-yielding plants such as basil, sage, rosemary,
marjoram, lavender, pennyroyal and thyme
Within the genus Mentha there are several commercially grown species, varying in
their major chemical content, aroma and end use
Their oils and derived aroma compounds are traded world-wide

3. ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
Mint is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean basin and, from there,
spread
to the rest of the world by both natural and artificial means.
USA is the major producer of peppermint and spearmint.
Bergamot mint is a native of Europe and has been naturalized in eastern USA
It grows successfully in the temperate and subtropical region of India.
In India, Japanese mint is grown mainly in the Terai region, extending to parts of the
Indo-Gangetic Plains and parts of Punjab in North-western India.
The total area under mint cultivation, which is mostly confined to Uttar Pradesh and
the Punjab, is around 10 000 ha.

4. SPECIES
Mentha arvensis (Japanese mint)
M. arvensis (Japanese mint) is a downy,
perennial herb, spreading by root-stocks
which creep along the ground or just under
the surface and root at the nodes. There are
three horticultural varieties in this species.
Mentha piperita (Pepper Mint)
M. piperita spreads by a system of
branching, underground rootstocks and
grows to a height of 45 to 90 cm (l.5 to 3
ft).

5. Mentha spicata(Spear Mint)
M. spicata propagates by stolons, from
which 30-60 cm erect, ascending
branches arise. The leaves are sessile,
smooth above and glandular below, the
apex is acute and up to 6.5 cm long.
Mentha citrata(Bergamot Mint)
M. citrata grows up to 30-60 cm height,
with decumbent branches and erect
ends. The leaves are 1.25-5.0 cm long,
thin, bronzy-green, petiolate, smooth. M.
citrata is a hybrid between M .aquatica
and M.viridis.
Mentha spicata(Spear Mint)
M. spicata propagates by stolons, from which
30-60 cm erect, ascending branches arise.
The leaves are sessile, smooth above and
glandular below, the apex is acute and up to
6.5 cm long.

6. VARITIES
Japanese Mint
Himalaya (MAS-I): It is a selection released by the CIMAP Lucknow. The yield of oil is
around 290-293 kg/ha. This variety is highly resistant to rust, leaf-spot and powdery
mildew diseases.
Kalka (Hyb-77): It is a tall, vigorous variety evolved by the ClMAP Lucknow, It is highly
resistant to leaf-spot, powdery mildew and rust diseases.
Shivalik: It was introduced from China and released by the CIMAP, Lucknow. The plant has
a compact, bushy growth with thick, leathery leaves.
EC-41911: It is less affected by rain, root rot and aphids and is reported to yield 236.5 g/ha
of herbage and 12.2 kg/ha of oil, with a menthol contented 70%.
Kosi: A leading high yielding variety and cultivated in maximum average.

7. Peppermint
Kukrail: This is a high yielding variety
developed and released by the CIMAP
Lucknow.
Bergamot Mint
Kiran: This is a mutant selection developed
by the CIMAP, Lucknow. It has a high oil
content and quality. Yield 239 kg/ha of oil
with 48% linalool.
Spearmint
MSS-l: This is a selection from the spearmint cultivars introduced from USA. This
variety was released by the CIMAP, Lucknow.
MSS-5: It is a selection from MSS-1 made at the CIMAP, Lucknow.
Punjab spearmint-l: This variety is a clonal selection made at the CIMAP, Lucknow.

8. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
The active chemical in mint is a terpene alcohol called menthol
or peppermint camphor, or 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol.
Traditionally, it is extracted from the leaves of plants like
peppermint (Mentha piperita), in which it may act as a natural
insecticide
Mint plants contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
called rosmarinic acid.
The major essential oil constituents detected were: 1,8-cineole,
carvone, limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, menthol, menthone,
menthyl acetate, and piperitenone oxide.

9. USES
Although not typically consumed in
large quantities, mint contains fair
amounts of several nutrients and is an
especially good source of vitamin A and
antioxidants.
IBS is a common digestive disorder.
Several studies have shown that taking
peppermint oil capsules improved the
symptoms of IBS patients.
Several studies have shown that
peppermint oil can speed up how
quickly food moves through the
stomach, relieving digestive symptoms
associated with indigestion.
Smelling the aroma of peppermint
oil may improve memory and
alertness, while other studies
show no effect. More research is
needed to further understand the
effects of mint on brain function.
Although menthol does not
function as a nasal decongestant,
it can provide some relief to cold
and flu symptoms by subjectively
improving breathing through the
nose.
Peppermint tea and chewing on
mint leaves may be more
beneficial in reducing bacteria
that cause bad breath.

10. CULTIVATION
Medium to fertile deep soil, rich in humus is ideal for the cultivation of
mint.
The soil should have a good water-holding capacity but water-logging
should be avoided.
A pH range of 6-7.5 is best.
Japanese mint can be grown in all tropical and subtropical areas under
irrigation.

11. PESTS AND DISEASES
Mint rust
Pale and distorted shoots in spring .Dusty orange
pustules on the stems and leaves. Pustule may
change to dusty yellow or black in colour in later
stage. Large areas of leaf tissue die and plants
may lose leaves.

12. Verticillium wilt
Symptoms first appear in the foliage at the top of the
plant.Symptomatic upper leaves are sickle-shaped and initially
chlorotic or red, soon becoming necrotic.Premature defoliation
and death of the plant can result. Vascular discoloration in
stems and roots may be observed and diseased plants are often
stunted.

13. Anthracnose
Mint anthracnose, also known as "leopard spot".The fungus causes small,
sunken brown spots to appear on the lower leaves and stems. These
spots enlarge to form oval lesions with light gray centers and reddish-
brown borders, and may unite.Mint anthracnose may cause defoliation
and cankers, which may lead to splitting of the stem.Heavily-infected
plants are weakened and oil yields are reduced.Anthracnose may become
severe during wet seasons when the mint foliage is wet for long periods.

14. Powdery mildew
Powdery white patches are developed on the upper
and lower surfaces of the leaves and stems.Under
favourable conditions, the disease causes severe
losses. It also reduces the oil.

15. HARVESTING
When to harvest:
Pick mint leaves and sprigs as you
need them throughout the growing
season.
Cut away flower stalks before they
bloom for a sweeter taste.
Cut the entire plant down to 2 or 3
inches above the soil at midseason
and it will regrow for a second
harvest.
How to harvest:
Use a snip or scissors to cut off
the top leaves and tips of
branches or pinch off individual
leaves for fresh use.
For drying, cut stems 4 to 6
inches above the soil surface.

16. The recovery of oil from the herb is 0.5-0.8%. Oil is obtained through steam
distillation. The oil is of golden yellow colour, containing not less than 75%
menthol. The duration of steam distillation is 2-2.5 hours for complete
recovery of the oil. About 80% of the oil is received in the receiver in about
one hour’s time. The oil that is received later is richer in menthol. The fresh
or semi dried herbage is placed in a tank and treated with passing steam
under pressure. The steam that comes out of the tank is then passed
through a condenser. The condenser receiving the steam, carrying the oil
extracted from the herbage in the tank is kept constantly cool by
circulating cold-water over/around it. The condensed oil and water mixture
is collected in a receiver. Since the water and oil have different densities,
oil floats on the surface of the water in the receiver. The oil is skimmed off
and collected.
DISTILLATION

17. Herbage should be shade dried for about a day before it is
distilled. Care should be taken so that decomposition of the
herbage does not initiate during the drying process. There would
be some reduction in oil yield if wilted herbage crop is stored for
a longer period of 2-3 days. As such, storage of herbage for a
longer period is not recommended.
PVC drums of good quality (20-200l capacity) and galvanized iron
(GI) drums or aluminium containers are suitable for short-term
and long-term storage respectively. The containers should be
kept in cool and dark place.
STORAGE

18. HEALTH BENEFITS
Rich in nutrients
Mint is a particularly good source of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is
critical for eye health and night vision (2Trusted Source).
It is also a potent source of antioxidants, especially when compared to
other herbs and spices. Antioxidants help protect your body from oxidative
stress, a type of damage to cellscaused by free radicals (3Trusted Source).

19. May Help Relieve Indigestion
Mint may also be effective at relieving
other digestive problems such as upset
stomach and indigestion.
Could Improve Brain Function
In addition to ingesting mint, there are
claims that inhaling the aroma of essential
oils from the plant could provide health
benefits, including improved brain function.
Beats Stress & Depression
Mint is an essential part of aromatherapy. It’s strong
and refreshing smell could help beat stress and
rejuvenate the mind. By breathing in the aroma of
mint, your mind is instantly calmed.
You can add mint to your tea, use mint extract on a
vaporizer or take a mint bath for immediate relief
from stress and depression.
Subjectively Improves Cold
Symptoms
Many over-the-counter cold and flu
treatments contain menthol, a
primary compound in peppermint
oil.

20. Mint or pudina leaves is highly valued for its indispensable
medicinal properties and uses. Mint leaves can be used fresh,
dried, as essential oils or in the form of supplements to
derive its benefits.
CONCLUSION

21. THANK YOU