Variability of essential oils and DNA of two strains of Mentha spicata L. (hairless and pubescent) from the Meknes region

Mentha spicata is one of four species of the genus Mentha cultivated for, among others, the production of essential oils. The mint plots are experiencing the appearance of a pubescent strain (S_p.) following the germination of seeds produced by the hairless strain (S_g.) initially cultivated in the Meknes region. To compare these two strains of M. spicata, chemical and genetic analysis of volatile compounds were undertaken. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation of dry leaves and their chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. The DNA polymorphism of the two strains was characterized by AFLP (Amplified fragment polymorphism technique). The essential oil yields of S_p. and S_g. are 1.61 and 2.32% (v/w), respectively. The numbers of chemical compounds identified in the S_p. and S_g. are 47 and 37, respectively. S_p. strain is distinguished by its richness in limonene (7.7%) and gemacrene-D (3.12%) and its low carvone content (62.2) compared to the cultivated strain (75.6). S_p. strain is characterized by 44 unique bands and S_g. has only 18.

Keywords: Mentha spicata, Essential oils, CPG / MS, DNA, AFLP, Polymorphism