Biochemical activities of Iranian Mentha piperita L. and Myrtus communis L. essential oils

GC-MS analysis of essential oils of Iranian Mentha piperita and Myrtus communis lead to identification of 26 and 32 compounds, respectively. The oils had good to excellent antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans with the oil of M. piperita being more active. Antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid systems revealed greater antioxidant activity of M. piperirta oil.