Comparative analysis of some active principles of herb plants by GC/MS

A rapid extraction procedure for fingerprint chromatogram of different types of Mentha piperita L. (Labiatae family) is presented. The extracts were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main volatile compounds identified by the gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis of M. piperita L. were menthol, menthone, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole, menthyl acetate, limonene, β-myrcene, carvone. M. piperita L. oil had the active principles: menthol, menthone, isomenthone, menthyl acetate, α-pinene, β-pinene, champhor, limonene, linalool, piperitone. M. crispa L. showed carvone as major component.