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Abstract
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Mentha aquatica L. (Lamiaceae) is found in different parts of Iran. Its essential oil and
preparations regulate bile function and are used as a stomach tonic and disinfectant. This study investigates
the morphological and essential oil diversity of M. aquatica populations from the Hyrcanian
hotspot of Iran. Plant samples were collected from Gilan, Golestan, and Mazandaran provinces in the
Caspian Region for analysis. The results showed significant differences among the studied ecotypes
for the stem diameter, collar diameter, number of inflorescences, length and width of inflorescence,
sepal diameter, sepal length, and secondary stem length number. Principal component analysis
showed that the first seven principal components explained 90.6% of the total variation. Moreover,
essential oil concentration varied widely from 1.13% for a sample from Behshahr-Mazandaran, down
to 0.27% for one from Abbas abad-Mazandaran. GC–MS analysis identified 29 constituents that accounted
for 91% of the total essential oil. The main components of the essential oil were menthofuran
(13.21–52.46%), 1,8-cineole (12.42–25.55%), (E)-caryophyllene (3.18–15.43%), viridiflorol (1.04–11.16%),
germacrene D (1.70–8.29%), caryophyllene oxide (0.51–4.96%), neryl acetate (1.11–4.95%), p-cymene
(1.55–4.77%), and -pinene (1.7–3.45%). Overall, meaningful diversity was recorded among the
populations; Rahimabad-Gilan and Behshahr-Mazandaran would be reliable selections for the food
and pharmaceutical industries due to their higher yields and content of a-pinene, 1, 8-cineole, menthofuran,
viridiflorol, and -caryophyllene. Further evaluation of populations from diverse habitats
is needed to guide future breeding programs.
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