Effect of residual distillation water of 15 plants and three plant hormones on Scotch spearmint (Mentha × gracilis Sole)

Distillation waste water is a byproduct from steam distillation of aromatic crops, and is currently discharged into streams and rivers. We evaluated distillation waste water (extract) from 15 essential oil crops plus three plant hormones (methyl jasmonate, MJ; gibberellic acid, GA3; and salicylic acid, SA) as foliar spray for Scotch spearmint (Mentha × gracilis Sole). GA3 and Achillea millefolium extract decreased essential oil content. Hypericum perforatum extract increased α-pinene, whereas SA decreased it. H. perforatum extract increased β-pinene and sabinene concentrations relative to hormones but was not different from the control. H. perforatum also increased l-limonene, while SA and GA3 decreased myrcene and MJ and SA decreased l-limonene. Application of MJ and SA increased l-carvone concentration relative to the control and most other treatments. The sulfur concentration in plant extracts was positively correlated to β-caryophyllene. None of the residual distillation waters showed significant antimicrobial or antimalarial activity. The distillation waste water from essential oil crops may serve as a modifier for Scotch spearmint essential oil.

Research highlights▶ Distillation waste water is a byproduct from steam distillation of aromatic crops, and is currently discharged into streams and rivers. ▶ We evaluated distillation waste water (extract) from 15 essential oil crops plus three plant hormones (methyl jasmonate, MJ; gibberelic acid, GA3; salicylic acid, SA) as foliar spray for Scotch spearmint (Mentha × gracilis Sole). ▶ This study demonstrated that the distillation waste water from essential oil crops may be used as a modifier for Scotch spearmint essential oil.