Abstract
The essential oils of mint leaves (Mentha spicata L.) cultivated in Middle Anatolia were extracted by hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC and GC-MS. The percentage yields of the essential oils of mint harvested in different months (from May to December) were 1.2%, 2.5%, 2.75%,3.0%, 2.0%, 3.7%, 2.6% and 2.0%, respectively. The major constituents varied depend on harvest periods. The main constituents of mint oil were carvone (30.8-62.9%), dihydrocarveol (2.7%-22.4, iso dihydrocarvyle acetate (12-14.4%), limonene (5.2-17.2%) and eucalyptol among the months.