Recent advances and challenges in trichome research and essential oil biosynthesis in Mentha arvensis L

• Menthaarvensis L is a good natural source of aromatic oils rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes highlighting pharmacological and economic importance.
• Delineating the molecular aspect of essential oil biosynthesis and addressing the research on identification of trichome-specific metabolic pathways and associated genes constitutes an integral study of the article.
• Genomic investigations on elucidation of essential oil biosynthetic pathway and the respective enzymes would provide a focused insight, paving a new opportunity for genetic engineering and development of better varieties of Mentha with improved agro-economic traits.
• India contributes significantly in mint oil production and the investigations on the advances and challenges in essential oil research in Mentha would identify ways to increase Mentha production.

Mentha arvensis L defines an important species of the genus Mentha, highlighting socio-economic and pharmacological importance. The plant species attributes its aromatic properties to the presence of essential oil rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and volatile constituents such as menthol, menthone, carvacol, pulgone and isomenthone, imparting characteristic mint flavor. The research on trichomes and essential oil biosynthesis has received considerable attention from scientific community owing to its pharmaceutical and economic benefits. Although, molecular and biochemical investigations have provided key insights into trichome-specific metabolic pathways and the corresponding genes, however the exact mechanism of action of the enzymes in various trichome developmental stages remains unreported. In an attempt to address the research on trichomes, the review article provides a comprehensive account of M. arvensis L, discussing its taxonomic distribution and cultivation to its commercial applications. Furthermore, genomic investigations on elucidation of essential oil biosynthetic pathway and the respective enzymes would provide a focused insight, opening new possibilities for genetic engineering and development of better varieties of Mentha with improved agro-economic traits. Such studies highlight good prospects of M. arvensis L in commercial applications, owing to its health benefits in aromatherapy and pharmacology.