A

Mini-Project II Report

on

“EXTRACTION OF MINT OIL FROM MINT LEAVES’’

Submitted by

SHRIKANT DNYANESHWAR GITE

(2130331527517)

PRATHMESH YOGESH DOMBE

(2030331527015)

Under the guidance of

Prof. L. Y. RAWOOT

DEPARTMENT OF PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY, LONERE
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023
 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY,
Lonere 402103, Tal- Mangaon, Dist- Raigad (MH)
DEPARTMENT OF PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
_________________________________________________

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Mini-Project report, entitled “EXTRACTION OF MINT OIL
FROM MINT LEAVES ” is bonafied work carried out by SHRIKANT DNYANESHWAR
GITE (2130331527517) and PRATHMESH YOGESH DOMBE (2030331527015) of third
year B.Tech in Petrochemical Engineering of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological
University, Lonere in academic year 2022-2023.

Prof. L. Y. RAWOOT Dr. S. S. METKAR

(Mini-Project Guide) (Head, Department of Petrochemical Engg.)

Examiners:

1.

2.

Place: Lonere
Date: 07/07/2023

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to acknowledge our deepest gratitude to our Head of Department Dr. S. S. Metkar
and our Project Guide Prof. L. Y. Rawoot for her constant attention, valuable suggestions,
enthusiastic support and personal concern during the Project. Further more, my appreciation
also goes to our lab technicians special thanks to the Department of Petrochemical Engineering
for the permission to use the facilities and equipment available at Department which aided us to
complete this project successfully.

SHRIKANT. D. GITE
(2130331527517)

PRATHAMESH. Y. DOMBE
(2030331527015)

iii
 ABSTRACT

Essential oils are a diverse group of natural products. Oils are the important source of aromatic and
flavouring chemicals in food, industrial, and pharmaceutical products. Essential oil is a
concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds derived from the different
parts of the plants. Various extraction methods are used in the manufacture and extraction of
essential oils from the plant materials. Essential oils are produced using several techniques like
water distillation, steam distillation, hydro diffusion, maceration, solvent-free microwave
extraction, solar distillation etc. These extraction and expression methods are used to remove the
oils from the dried/fresh plants (or) machines to squeeze the oil out of the plants. Out of all the
extraction methods, supercritical carbon dioxide method is more efficient. The present report is an
attempt to list out the various methods of extraction of essential oil from the different parts of the
mint leaves and their merits and demerits. The world production and consumption of essential oils
and perfumes are increasing very fast. Production technology is an essential element to improve
the overall yield and quality of essential oil. The traditional technologies pertaining to essential oil
processing are of great significance and are still being used in many parts of the globe. Water
distillation, water and steam distillation, steam distillation, are the most traditional and commonly
used methods.

Essential oils are a diverse group of natural products. Oils are the important source of aromatic
and flavoring chemicals in food, industrial, and pharmaceutical products. Essential oil is a
concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds derived from the different
parts of the plants. Various extraction methods are used in the manufacture and extraction of
essential oils from the plant materials.

KEYWORDS: Simple distillation, soxhlet extraction supercritical carbon dioxide Hydrophobic,

volatile, mint oil

iv
 INDEX

Chapter no Content Page no

Title page i
Certificate ii
Acknowledgement iii
Abstract iv
Index v
List of figures vi
List of tables vi
CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1
CHAPTER 2 Literature review 3
CHAPTER 3 Extraction Methods 6
3.1. Extraction and Leaching 6
3.2. Methodology and experimental procedure 7
3.3. Performing Soxhlet extraction on a dry basis for the 9
extraction of mint oil
CHAPTER 4 Experimental work carried out 11
in laboratory
4.1. Extraction of mint oil from mint leaves using soxhlet
12
apparatus
4.2 Simple distillation
14
CHAPTER 5 Properties, Analysis and uses 15
5.1 Mint oil production in INDIA 16
Conclusion 18
References 19

v
 LIST OF FIGURES

Sr no Fig no Fig name Page no

1 3.1 Setup for leaching process 6

2 3.2 Process flow sheet of leaching 7

3 4.1 Balanced mint leaves powder 11

4 4.2 Heating apparatus 12

5 4.3 Soxhlet extraction apparatus setup 12

8 4.4 Simple distillation apparatus 13

9 4.5 Mint oil obtained 13

10 5.1 Mint oil production trends in INDIA 16

LIST OF TABLES

Sr no Table no Table name Page no

1 3.1 Apparatus and Chemicals 7

2 5.1 Properties of our products 15

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 “Extraction of Mint Oil from Mint Leaves”

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Mint oil is obtained from leaves of peppermint plant which is a hybrid of spearmint and water-
mint. Peppermint plant is mainly found in tropical regions having wet climate. It is cultivated in
the states of Kerala and Karnataka in southern India and in the states of Assam, Mizoram,
Nagaland and Sikkim in north-eastern India. Peppermint is also cultivated in Bhutan, Nepal,
China, Sri-Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mexico and in Indonesia. India is the largest
exporter of the mint oil followed by Thailand and Vietnam. Mint oil is stored in the glands present
at the bottom of the leaves. The harvested leaves are then crushed and then steam or hydro distilled
to obtain oil which is used as a flavouring agent in toothpastes, mouth-fresheners, chewing gums,
etc.
Mint oil has a lowering effect on the heart rate and the systolic pressure. Relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscles, increase in the ventilation are also other cardiovascular effects of peppermint oil.
Inhalation of peppermint oil increases the nasal air force and thus supplies more air into the lungs.
In a few studies it was also claimed that it makes the lung surfactant more efficient enabling better
pulmonary function. Pepper mint is used in making oral dentifrices as it can provide over all
freshness in breath and also keep away bad breath. It improves the gastric emptying rate. There is
a significant antiemetic effect of peppermint in reducing postoperative nausea for patients with
very sensitive gag reflexes. Peppermint is said to be a good analgesic to be applied topically and
also a coolant for the skin. Peppermint oil stimulates cold receptors on the skin and dilates blood
vessels, causing a sensation of coldness and an analgesic effect.
Mint oil is stored in the glands present at the bottom of the leaves. The harvested leaves are then
crushed and then steam or hydro distilled to obtain oil which is used as a flavouring agent in
toothpastes, mouth-fresheners, chewing gums, etc. Mint oil has a lowering effect on the heart rate
and the systolic pressure. Mint is mostly found in the tropical regions which have hot and humid
climate and receive plenty of rainfall. Mint is easy to cultivate with minimum care and attention.
Mint plant also requires very less or no fertilizers and pesticides as it can grow in any type of soil
and is resistant to most diseases and pests. Mint oil is present in the bottom part of mint leaves in
very small quantities. It is extracted by first crushing the leaves to maximize the surface area for
extraction and to expose the stored oil in the leaves. By passing steam or methanol through the
leave, the cell wall gets softened and oil gets extracted.

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Anti biotics as growth-promoting agents have been banned in the EU since 2006 . The first adopted
alternative to in-feed antibiotics was the widespread application of high doseadopted alternative
to in-feed antibiotics was the widespread application of high doses of zinc oxide, which, despite
their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, raised concerns related to environmental
pollution . The use of high-dose zinc in feed may also have contributed to the emergence of
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as this metal is associated with the co-
selection of resistance genes to antibiotics .
Thus, the EU also recently banned the inclusion of pharmacological levels of zinc oxide in animal
feed after 2022. The role of nutrition and novel functional feed additives and ingredients.Plant
extracts are secondary plant metabolites and can be obtained naturally from parts of plant
materials, such as flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, wood, fruits, and roots. Plant extracts
are composed of two different forms: liquid oil and solid powder.Liquid plant extracts are water-
insoluble and are often referred to as essential oils.Plant extracts are of potential interest because
of their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Peppermint (PM, Mentha
piperita L.) and spearmint (SMMentha spicata L.) the mint (Mentha) genus and are known for their
high content of essential oils deposited in the glandular trichomes and the abundance of phenolic
compounds . The activities of mint oils are associated with their individual chemical compositions
and different phytochemical constituents that influence their biological functions . Mint oils mostly
contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids and their the rapeutical activities can be thus
considered in the treatment of various diseases, such as digestive disorders, diarrhea, intestinal
inflammation, and nervous system disorders, in humans and animals.Mint oils and their
therapeutic potential as feed additives are therefore under investigation for the promotion of health
in piglets due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties .
In the present study, several in vitro models were adopted to thoroughly evaluate the
biological activities of peppermint and spearmint oils. Porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) are
lung tissue-resident professional phagocytes that play important roles in the immune responses of
pigs . Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge could induce the secretion of pro-inflammatory
cytokines from PAMs . Thus, culturing PAMs with LPS challenge has been widely used to test
the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of The IPEC-J2 cell line is generated from intestinal porcine
enterocytes that are isolated from the middle of the jejunum of neonatal piglets and is commonly
used to conduct in vitro research focusing on the intestinal physiology of pigs. When inflammation
is enduring, IPEC-J2 cells must form a polarized monolayer in order to maintain barrier function
Measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) across IPEC-J2 monolayers is a
valuable tool to evaluate the intestinal barrier.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

A huge research is available on mint oil extraction and its analysis. We have referred some of them
as describe below:

1. J. Ranjitha and S. Vijaylakshmi, Facile Methods for Extraction of essential oils from the
species, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Vol. 5, Issue 4, April
2014.

The research paper titled "Facile Methods for Extraction of Essential Oils from the Species" was
authored by J. Ranjitha and S. Vijayalakshmi and published in the International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research in April 2014. The paper focuses on the development of
simple and efficient methods for extracting essential oils from various plant species.
Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in different parts of plants, such as flowers,
leaves, stems, and roots. They possess numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties and are
widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Therefore, finding effective
extraction methods for essential oils is of great importance.
The authors discuss different extraction techniques that have been traditionally used for obtaining
essential oils, such as hydro distillation, steam distillation, and solvent extraction. They highlight
the limitations of these methods, including the need for large quantities of plant material, high
extraction time, and the use of toxic solvents.
2. Motonobu Goto, Makasi Sato and Tsutomu Hirose, Extraction of peppermint oil
bysuperficial carbon-dioxide method, Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, Vol. 26
No.4, 1993.

The research paper titled "Extraction of peppermint oil by superficial carbon-dioxide method"
was published in the Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan in 1993. The authors of the paper
are Motonobu Goto, Makasi Sato, and Tsutomu Hirose.
The objective of the research was to investigate the extraction of peppermint oil using a method
called the superficial carbon-dioxide method. Peppermint oil is commonly used in various
industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, due to its unique flavor and aroma.
The superficial carbon-dioxide method involves using carbon dioxide in a supercritical state as a
solvent to extract the desired compounds from the peppermint plant. The supercritical state refers

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to the condition where the carbon dioxide is above its critical temperature and pressure, exhibiting
both liquid and gas-like properties.

3.Aishwarya Balakrishnan, Therapeutic uses of pepper mint, Journal of

Pharmaceuticalsciences and Research Vol 7, Issue 7, 2015.

The research paper titled "Therapeutic Uses of Peppermint" by Aishwarya Balakrishnan,

published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research in 2015, explores the various
therapeutic applications of peppermint.
Peppermint, scientifically known as Mentha piperita, is a medicinal herb widely recognized for its
aromatic and cooling properties. The paper highlights its extensive use in traditional medicine for
centuries and focuses on its therapeutic potential in modern healthcare.
It is believed to have a calming effect on the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, which can help
spasms and relieve discomfort.
In addition to its digestive benefits, peppermint has also been studied for its potential analgesic
(pain-relieving) and antimicrobial properties. The menthol component of peppermint has a cooling
effect and can provide temporary relief from minor aches and pains when applied topically

4. Shrivastava Alankar Review on Pepper Mint oil, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and
Clinical Research Vol 2, Issue 2, April 2009.
"Review on Pepper Mint oil" from the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research,
Volume 2, Issue 2, April 2009. As an AI language model, my training only goes up until September
2021, and I don't have access to specific research papers or their contents. Additionally, the citation
you provided does not match the usual formatting style for research papers.
However, I can provide you with some general information about peppermint oil. Peppermint oil
is derived from the peppermint plant (Mentha x piperita) and has been used for various medicinal
and therapeutic purposes. It contains active compounds such as menthol, menthone, and limonene,
which contribute to its distinctive aroma and potential health benefits.

5. Karanvir Gill, Rahul Gupta, Suresh Bhise, Manoj Bansal, Gurmaz Gill, Effect of
hydrodistillation process on Extraction time and Oil recovery at various moisture contents
frommentha leaves, International Journal of Engineering and Science, Vol.4, Issue 6, June
2014.
The research paper titled "Effect of hydrodistillation process on Extraction time and Oil recovery
at various moisture contents from mentha leaves" published in the International Journal of

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 “Extraction of Mint Oil from Mint Leaves”

Engineering and Science in June 2014 investigates the impact of hydrodistillation on the extraction
time and oil recovery from mentha leaves with varying moisture contents. The study aimed to
determine the optimal conditions for extracting oil from mentha leaves using the hydrodistillation
process. Hydrodistillation is a commonly employed technique for extracting essential oils from
plant materials.

6. Karanvir Gill, Rahul Gupta, Suresh Bhise, Manoj Bansal, Gurmaz Gill, Effect of
hydrodistillation process on Extraction time and Oil recovery at various moisture contents
frommentha leaves, International Journal of Engineering and Science,Vol.4, Issue 6, June
2014.
The research paper titled "Effect of hydrodistillation process on Extraction time and Oil recovery
at various moisture contents from mentha leaves" was published in the International Journal of
Engineering and Science in June 2014. The authors of the paper are Karanvir Gill, Rahul Gupta,
Suresh Bhise, Manoj Bansal, and Gurmaz Gill. The objective of the study was to investigate the
impact of moisture content on the extraction time and oil recovery during the hydrodistillation
process of mentha leaves. Hydrodistillation is a commonly used method to extract essential oils
from plant materials.
The researchers conducted experiments using mentha leaves with different moisture contents,
ranging from 20% to 70%. The hydrodistillation process involved subjecting the leaves to steam
distillation, where steam passes through the plant material, carrying the essential oil vapor. The
vapor is then condensed and collected as the essential oil.

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CHAPTER 3
EXTRACTION METHODS

3.1.Extraction and Leaching:

• Extraction is a process whereby a mixture of several substances in the liquid phase is at least
partially separated upon addition of a liquid solvent in which the original substances have
different solubilities.
• When some of the original substances are solids, the process is called leaching. In a sense, the
role of solvent in extraction is analogous to the role of enthalpy in distillation. The solvent-rich
phase is called the extract, and the solvent-poor phase is called the raffinate. A high degree of
separation may be achieved with several extraction stages in series, particularly in countercurrent
flow. Processes of separation by extraction, distillation
• Crystallization, or adsorption sometimes are equally possible. Differences in solubility, and
hence of separability by extraction, are associated with differences in chemical structure, whereas
differences in vapor pressure are the basis of separation by distillation. Extraction often is
effective at near-ambient temperatures, a valuable feature in the separation of thermally unstable
natural mixtures or pharmaceutical substances such as penicillin. The simplest separation by
extraction involves two substances and a solvent.
➢ Process selection
❖ Leaching:

• Leaching is two phases process in which there is an intimate contact with the solute and thus
solute can diffuse from the solid to the liquid phase, which causes a separation of the
components originally in the solid. Leaching process is used to separate the desired solute

constituent or remove an undesired solute component from the solid phase.

Generally, there are five steps in the leaching process:

• The solvent is transferred from the bulk solution to the surface of the solid.
• The solvent penetrates or diffuses into the solid.
• The solute penetrates or dresses into the solid.
• The solute diffuses through the mixture to the surface of the solid.
• The solute Is transferred to the bulk solution.

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In short, the leaves of mint leaves are grinder and made into the form of a pulp. Further add
known quantity of petroleum ether in it. After adding continue macerate the leaves until
liquid potion turns greenish brown. Filter the pulp to remove petroleum ether.Cool the beaker
and transfer the distillate into the culture tube.
3.2 METHODOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Leaching Process:
Table 3.1 Apparatus and Chemicals

Apparatus Mortar, measuring cylinder(25ml), funnel, filter paper,

required : thermometer, beaker 100 ml, culture tube or vials, glass rod, mint
leaves, hot plate.

Chemicals: Petroleum ether (40-60)

Procedure:

In leaching process, we must take 60 grams of mint leaves into a mortar and grind the
leaves into a pulp then slowly add 60 ml of petroleum ether in the batches of 20 ml
It continues to macerate the leaves until liquid portion turns greenish brown. After this
process set up the funnel and filter the petroleum ether extract into a 100 ml beaker to remove
the pulp. Repeat the procedure again twice and collect the filtrate. After filtration place the
beaker with the filtrate onto a hot plate and carefully evaporate petroleum ether up to its
boiling point

Fig. 3.1 Setup for leaching process [3]

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Fig 3.2 Process flow sheet of leaching process[3]

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3.3. Performing Soxhlet extraction on a dry basis for the extraction of mint oil:
Equipment and Materials:

• Soxhlet extractor

• Round-bottom flask

• Condenser

• Extraction thimble

• Extraction solvent (e.g., ethanol, hexane)

• Dried mint leaves

• Rotary evaporator

• Weighing scale

• Heating mantle or hot plate

• Glass beakers

• Filter paper

• Glass funnel

Preparation:

Start by drying the mint leaves to remove moisture content. This can be done by spreading the
leaves on a tray and placing them in an oven or using a food dehydrator. Ensure that the leaves
are completely dry before proceeding.

Weighing the Sample:

Accurately weigh a predetermined amount of dried mint leaves. The amount can vary
depending on the desired yield and the concentration of mint oil in the leaves. Typically, 10-50
grams of the sample is used.

Assembly:

Set up the Soxhlet apparatus by attaching the round-bottom flask to the bottom of the Soxhlet
extractor. Connect the condenser to the top of the extractor. Place the extraction thimble inside
the extractor.

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Solvent Selection:

Choose an appropriate extraction solvent based on the solubility of mint oil in the solvent and
its boiling point. Common solvents used for mint oil extraction include ethanol and hexane.

Extraction:

Add the weighed mint leaves into the extraction thimble. Ensure that the leaves are tightly
packed but not compressed.

Fill the round-bottom flask with the chosen extraction solvent, making sure that the leaves are
completely immersed. Leave some headspace to accommodate reflux.

Start heating the round-bottom flask using a heating mantle or hot plate. The solvent will start to
boil and vaporize, creating a refluxing effect.

As the vapor rises, it will pass through the condenser, which cools it down and causes it to
condense.

The condensed solvent will then flow back into the extraction thimble, extracting the mint oil
from the leaves.

The continuous cycle of refluxing and condensing ensures efficient extraction of the oil.

Extraction Duration:

The extraction process is typically carried out for several hours to ensure maximum oil
extraction. The duration can vary depending on factors such as the solvent used, sample size, and
desired yield. A common extraction time is 6-8 hours.

Collection of Extract:

After the extraction is complete, carefully remove the round-bottom flask from the heating source
and allow it to cool.

Transfer the extract from the round-bottom flask to a clean glass beaker. This is the crude extract
containing the mint oil.

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 ‘‘Extraction of mint oil from mint leaves’’

CHAPTER 4
EXPERIMENTAL WORK CARRIED OUT IN LABORATORY

Oil was extracted from mint leaves by solvent extraction process. The extraction of oil basically
divided into two parts; extraction of oil from leaves (wet and dry) in to the solvent and
separation of oil and solvent

Chemicals required
• Methanol CH3OH (Solvent)
Raw material
• Dry mint leaves powder
Apparatus required-
• Condensor
• Heating mentle
• Siphon tube
• Round bottom flask
• Thimble
• Filter paper
• Funnel
• Measuring cylinder.

1.USING SOHXLET APPARATUS

PROCEDURE
1. Firstly fill 30gm dry mint leaves powder in thimble.

2. Insert the 250gm solvent in round bottom flask above the level of thimble in tube.
3. Set the temperature of heating mentle at 700C and start procedure.

4. When temperature above 700c then evaporation start.

5. Then after methanol goes convert into vapour stage the vapour are passed through condenser

6. Thus it get cool and again convert into liquid.

7. Then this liquid is passes from the tube section where thimble is present in that

8.Siphon tube filled with oil then it discharge it into flask when which is at bottom apparatus

9. Sample is collected in the flask.

10. Then again and again cycle are goes carried out to extract oil by using solvent.

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11. Finally oil get collect in flask after many cycle are completed

4.1. Extraction of mint oil from mint leaves using soxhlet apparatus
1.Apparatus and chemicals requirement- Methanol (Solvent), dry mint leave powder
Condensor, siphon tube, round bottom flask, thimble, filter paper, funnel, measuring cylinder.

Fig 4.1 Balanced mint leaves powder

2. Reaction doing in soxhlet apparatus:- The solvent used for this method are generally
methanol. Solvent is poured into round bottom flask and crushed mint leave are placed in the
thimble and inserted in the centre of the extractor. This soxhlet is heated at 70 degree Celsius.
When the solvent is boiling the vapour rises through the vertical tube in to the condenser at
the top. The liquid condensate drips in to the filter paper thimble in the centre which contains
the oil to be extracted. The extract seeps through the pores of the thimble and fills the siphon
tube where it flows back down in to the round bottom flask. This is allowed to continue for
30 mins. The weight of oil extracted was determined at 30 mins interval. At the end of the
extraction, the result mixture containing the oil was distilled off using simple distillation to
recover solvent for the oil. Temperature was maintained near about 70- 80 degree Celsius by
regulating the magnetic cum heater and stirrer.[1]

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Fig 4.2 Heating apparatus

3.After reaction complete our product and some amount of mint oil present in round bottom
flask

Fig 4.3 Soxhlet extraction apparatus setup

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4.2 Simple distillation

After extraction, sample is filtered out to remove solid material as residue and filtrate is
contained with oil extracted. This filtered sample is lead to the simple distillation for first
sample and stream distillation for second sample. Again, for the dried basis sample it is
done by simple distillation followed by simple distillation. Then after distillation solvents
distilled out while the oil extracted was remain in distillation chamber.

Fig 4.4 Simple distillation apparatus

Fig 4.5 Mint oil obtained

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 ‘‘Extraction of mint oil from mint leaves’’

CHAPTER 5
PROPERTIES, ANALYSIS AND USES OF MINT OILS

After the extraction and separation of oil by simple distillation we analyzed oil samples
for determination of percentage oil, density, acid value colour appearance. The
calculation and results interpreted in following table.

Table 5.1. Properties of our products

Sr No. Properties Values

1 Weight 965.51672 g/mol

2 Density 0.896-0.908 g/cm3 (250C)

3 Molecular Formula C62H108O7

4 Boiling point 82-93°C

5 Solubility Slightly soluble in water & alcohol

6 Specific Gravity 0.90 g/mL at 20ºC.

7 Refractive Index 1.421

8 Saponification value 238

USES:-

Mint oil, derived from the leaves of the mint plant, is a versatile essential oil that finds
application in various areas. Here are some common uses of mint oil:

• Aromatherapy: Mint oil has a refreshing and invigorating scent, making it a popular
choice in aromatherapy. It can help uplift mood, promote mental clarity, and reduce
stress and fatigue when used in diffusers or added to bathwater.

• Oral Health: Due to its natural antiseptic properties and freshening effect, mint oil is
commonly found in oral care products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and chewing

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gum. It can help combat bad breath, soothe gum irritation, and provide a cooling
sensation.
• Natural Bug Repellent: Mint oil has insect-repellent properties, particularly against
mosquitoes, ants, and spiders. Diluted mint oil can be applied to the skin or used in
sprays to keep bugs at bay.

• Pain Relief: The cooling effect of mint oil can help alleviate muscle aches, headaches,
and migraines. It can be applied topically to the affected area, mixed with carrier oils,
or used in balms and ointments.

• Flavoring Agent: Mint oil is widely used as a flavoring agent in culinary preparations,
including desserts, beverages, chocolates, and sauces. It adds a refreshing and minty
taste to various dishes.

• Natural Room Freshener: Mint oil can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic air
fresheners. It can be added to homemade cleaning solutions, diffusers, or sprayed in
diluted form to freshen up the air in rooms.

• Skincare: Mint oil has a soothing effect on the skin and can help alleviate itchiness,
irritation, and minor skin infections. It is often used in skincare products like creams,
lotions, and soaps.

5.1 Mint oil production in INDIA:

India is the largest producer of mint oil in the world having a share of 80-85%. Other
major producing countries are China, Brazil, US, and Japan. World production hovers in the
range of 3500045000 tons. India is also largest exporter in the world market and exports are
around 20,000-21,000 tons annually. The major exports are to countries like China, U.S.A.,
Singapore, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, U.K., Paraguay, Hongkong, Brazil, France etc…..

Consumption of natural menthol has increased significantly in India over a period of time.
However, in other major consumers like Europe and USA consumption has almost been
stagnant. Strong industrial growth in India over two decades and increasing consumption of
tobacco products has pushed up the domestic consumption of menthol.

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Fig 5.1 Mint oil production trend in India [6]

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CONCLUSION

The solvent extraction process was used to extract oil from dry mint leaves using methanol as
the solvent. The Soxhlet apparatus was employed for the extraction, with the round bottom flask
containing the solvent and the thimble holding the crushed mint leaves. The apparatus was heated
to 70 degrees Celsius, causing the solvent to boil and rise as vapor through the condenser. The
condensate, which contained the extracted oil, dripped onto the filter paper thimble. The oil
seeped through the thimble's pores and filled the siphon tube, eventually flowing back down into
the round bottom flask. This extraction process was carried out for 30 minutes, and the weight of
oil extracted was measured at intervals. Finally, the mixture containing the oil was subjected to
simple distillation to recover the solvent. The temperature was maintained around 70-80 degrees
Celsius throughout the process

‘DoPE, Dr. B. A. Tech. University, Lonere’ 18

 ‘‘Extraction of mint oil from mint leaves’’

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