spearmint oil

Spearmint oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of Mentha spicata, commonly known as spearmint. It appears as a pale yellow to greenish-yellow liquid with a characteristic minty, cooling, and slightly spicy aroma. The oil contains key constituents such as carvone, which gives it a distinctive minty scent, and is also known by synonyms including Mentha crispa herb oil and Mentha viridis herb oil. Classified under flavor and fragrance agents, spearmint oil is well-recognized in the chemical community; its entry can be found in controlled vocabulary databases like PubChem. The oil is primarily obtained by steam distillation of the fresh or dried aerial parts of the plant and is prized both for its sensory qualities and applications in various industries.

Spearmint oil naturally occurs in the Mentha spicata plant species, found in temperate regions globally. It is widely utilized as a flavoring agent in foods, beverages, confectionery, and chewing gum and serves as a perfuming agent in cosmetics and household products. Its minty herbaceous aroma and cooling effect make it suitable for use in soaps, oral hygiene products, and aromatherapy blends. Spearmint oil's usage levels and safety are evaluated according to standards such as FAA (FEMA, US) guidelines that regulate its inclusion in consumables and fragrances. Its applications span from culinary flavor enhancement to fragrance formulation where a fresh, minty profile is required.

Spearmint oil exhibits physical properties influencing its handling and formulation. With a specific gravity ranging between 0.917 and 0.934 at 25 °C, and a refractive index from 1.479 to 1.489 at 20 °C, it presents as a moderately dense, slightly viscous liquid. The oil is soluble in alcohol and partially soluble in water, with an estimated water solubility around 367.1 mg/L at 25 °C. Its flash point is approximately 61 °C, indicating a moderate flammability risk during storage or use. The oil typically maintains stability for at least 24 months when stored in cool, dry conditions away from heat and light. Optical rotation values range from -48 to -59, reflecting its chiral constituents. These properties affect its formulation in foods, fragrances, and cosmetics, determining solubility, volatility, and shelf life.

	mentha spicata l. herb oil
Canada Domestic Sub. List:	8008-79-5
Pubchem (sid):	135335129

FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
Export Tariff Code:	3301.25.5020
Wikipedia:	View
FAO:	BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STEAM DISTILLATION

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-rat LD50 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 16, Pg. 871, 1978.
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Recommendation for spearmint oil usage levels up to:
	8.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3. Update in publication number(s): 26
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		1055.00000	1320.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		110.00000	140.00000
beverages(alcoholic):		120.00000	155.00000
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		8000.00000	24000.00000
condiments / relishes:		50.00000	250.00000
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		50.00000	130.00000
fruit ices:		-	-
gelatins / puddings:		90.00000	95.00000
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		5000.00000	10000.00000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		72.00000	1900.00000
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		66670.00000	66670.00000
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		5000.00000	10000.00000
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		40.00000	90.00000

Safety references

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance plant oils/spearmint oil View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of carvone, considering all sources of exposure View page or View pdf

EPI System: View

Daily Med:search

Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System:Search

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8008-79-5

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WISER:UN 2319

WGK Germany:2

mentha spicata l. herb oil

Chemidplus:0008008795

RTECS:WG7360000 for cas# 8008-79-5