Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Allen Qiu, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Zachary Readdick
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Jenny Vu
Abstract
Carvone (C10H14O) is the major component found in spearmint leaves (Mentha spicata). Spearmint is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia but is now grown everywhere due to commercial production of essential oils. Spearmint is rich in antioxidants and is said to have many health benefits to include minor pain relief, cognitive improvements, and hormone regulation. Limonene, eucalyptol, and carveol are some of the other components within spearmint but less abundant. Carvone forms two enantiomers: R-(-) and S-(+). R-(-) produces a semisweet minty aroma like in spearmint and S-(+) produces a spicy aroma with hints of rye like in caraway seeds. In this study spearmint leaves are distilled to produce a hydrosol mixture. The hydrosol is then further separated to pull out and isolate the essential oils, to include carvone, by using liquid-liquid extraction. Finally, A Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) test is used on the oil product to show confirmation of the extraction of the aromatic components, with carvone being the major component.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Steam Distillation: Extraction of (R)-(-)-Carvone from Spearmint Leaves
Carvone (C10H14O) is the major component found in spearmint leaves (Mentha spicata). Spearmint is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia but is now grown everywhere due to commercial production of essential oils. Spearmint is rich in antioxidants and is said to have many health benefits to include minor pain relief, cognitive improvements, and hormone regulation. Limonene, eucalyptol, and carveol are some of the other components within spearmint but less abundant. Carvone forms two enantiomers: R-(-) and S-(+). R-(-) produces a semisweet minty aroma like in spearmint and S-(+) produces a spicy aroma with hints of rye like in caraway seeds. In this study spearmint leaves are distilled to produce a hydrosol mixture. The hydrosol is then further separated to pull out and isolate the essential oils, to include carvone, by using liquid-liquid extraction. Finally, A Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) test is used on the oil product to show confirmation of the extraction of the aromatic components, with carvone being the major component.