Resumen
Menthol mint oil is distilled by water steam distillation from leaves of Mentha arvensis and is the most importance source of L-menthol. It contains L-menthol 68.3%, menthone 8.2%, isomenthone 4.4%, menthyl acetate 4.3%, mixture of isomers of menthol 4.5%, cis-3- hexanal 0.2-% and limonene 1.2%, However percentage of components depends on the genetic and ecological conditions. Major component L-Menthol is isolated by freezing at low temperature with the recovery of around 65% in form of menthol flakes and the remaining material is known as DMO or dementholised oil (30%). During the process 1% loss is generally found. All the components are being used in Flavours, Pharmaceuticals, Tobacco and other cosmetic Industries.