Phytochemicals and Elemental Analysis of Methanol Leave Extract of Peppermint Tea (Mentha Piperita L.)

Abstract

The species Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint tea) is an aromatic perennial glabrous and strongly scented herb. It is one of the most popular and widely consumed single ingredient herbal teas, or tisanes. This study evaluate the phytochemicals constituents and elemental compositions of methanolic leaves extract of peppermint tea. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, glycosides, saponin, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and total phenolic compounds, while quantitative analysis shows terpenoids>total phenolic compounds>flavonoids>alkaloids>glycosides>tannins>steroids>saponins. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of potassium (K) 116.67±0.00mg/kg, Calcium (Ca) 96.67±9.95mg/kg, Sodium (Na) 93.33±0.00mg/kg, Iron (Fe) 77.53± 0.50mg/kg, Copper (Cu) 49.13±5.15mg/kg, Manganese (Mn) 15.33±0.75mg/kg, Magnesium (Mg) 9.33±4.00mg/kg, and Zinc (Zn) 0.80±0.30mg/kg. Thus this study shows peppermint plant to be of high nutritional value and contain medicinally important bioactive compounds.