Chemical diversity of volatile compounds in Mentha species and hybrids across a large germplasm

Mentha species (mints) are economically valuable due to their wide applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food industry [ 1 ]. Their essential oils, rich in menthol, carvone, and menthone, are highly valued for their aromatic, therapeutic, and flavoring properties. However, the genus Mentha includes 18-30 species and approximately 100 varieties and cultivars, resulting in complex taxonomy and chemical diversity. This study aimed to assess the chemical diversity of 234 Mentha accessions, including seven species ( M. spicata, M. longifolia, M. suaveolens, M. aquatica, M. capensis, M. pulegium ) and 11 hybrids ( M.×piperita, M.×rotundifolia, M.×gracilis, M.×dumetorum , and others). Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) profiles were generated using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (HS-SPME-GC-FID), revealing 29 significant volatile peaks. Boxplot analysis showed notable intraspecific and interspecific variation in VOC composition. Clustering and heatmap analyses identified distinct chemotypic groups and unique biochemical signatures across species and hybrids ([ Fig. 1 ]). This study highlights the remarkable chemical diversity within the Mentha genus, providing valuable insights into the genetic and biochemical complexity of Mentha . These findings support the sustainable use and conservation of Mentha germplasm and can aid in selecting suitable genotypes for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Fig. 1 Heatmap diagram of 19 Mentha species and hybrids with 29 known and unknown compounds in fresh leaves. Acknowledgment We acknowledge the BLE for funding this investigation through the MenthaSens project (Project Number: 281D110A21/1282. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany