Processing of Mint & Mint Products

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 INTRODUCTION

Indian Spices:
➢Spices are high value export oriented crops extensively used for flavouring
food and beverages, medicines, cosmetics, perfumery etc.

➢Spices constitute a significant and indispensable segment of culinary art

and essentially add flavour, colour and taste to the food preparations.

➢India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world.
India produces more than 65 spices out of the total 109 spices

➢India produces around 5.8 million tonnes of spices annually (2012-13), of

this about 10% of the total produce is exported to over 150 countries.

➢The USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and Oceanic countries
are the major importers of Indian spices.

➢Estimated world trade in spices is 1.05 million tonnes valued at 2750 million
US $, India has a significant share of 48% in quantity and 43% in value.
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 MINT

▪Mint is an aromatic perennial herb, popularly known as “Pudina” in India and scientifically known as
“Mentha”. Mint is an energizing herb that can add flavour to many dishes. Mint is used in cooking as a
flavouring agent and mint oil used for flavouring mouth washes, tooth pastes etc.

▪Mints belong to the genus Mentha, in the family Labiatae (Lamiaceae) which includes other commonly
grown essential oil-yielding plants such as basil, sage, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, pennyroyal and thyme.

Local Names for Mint in India:

Pudina Patta (Hindi), Puthina/Pudhinaa (Tamil), Pudina (Telugu), Pudina (Kannada), Pudina (Marathi),Hara
Pudina (Punjabi), Fudino / Phodina (Gujarati),Putiyina/Pudhinaa (Malayalam),Pudyanu (Kashmiri).

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NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF MINT

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 COMMON VARIETIES

•Ø Japanese Mint/Menthol Mint (M.arvensis)

• Ø Peppermint (M.piperita)
• Ø Spearmint (M. spicata)
• Ø Bergamot mint (M. citrata)

Improved Varieties

MAS 1, Hybrid 77, EC 41911, Kalka, Gomti, Himalaya and Kosi are grown, producing
high oil yields.
Shiwalik is most popular variety amongst farmers, covering nearly total area in our
country. It produces compact bushy growth with thick leathery leaves, producing high oil
yield. The oil has high menthol content (75-85%).
The newly bred culture, Kosi, has the greatest yield. The oil has high menthol content
than Himalaya and Shiwalik. 5
 BOTANICAL
DESCRIPTION

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BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES

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 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
•Japanese Mint (Mentha arvensis var piperascense) - over-ground herb (foliage) on distillation yields an
essential oil, containing high (75 – 80z) menthol content.

•The oil has a bitter cooling taste, harsh odour and is the principal source of menthol. Used in combating
cold, an ingredient in cough drops and related pharmaceuticals, dentifrices, cosmetics, mouth washes,
scenting of tobacco products and flavouring of beverages, food and flavour industry.

•Indian production of arvensis rose rapidly to close to 50,000 tons. India dominates global production with
around 80% of global supply, followed by China and Japan. India exports around 25 to 30,000 tons in a
range of forms (menthol crystals and powder, dementholised mint oil, arvensis oil etc.).

•Being a labour-intensive crop mentha provides various employment opportunities in cultivation, distillation,
processing field particularly in rural areas.

•The large-scale commercial cultivation of mentha is done in Indo Gangetic plains - Uttar Pradesh, Punjab
and Haryana. About 95 per cent of the crop is grown in Uttar Pradesh and in terms of area and production
with 1.30 lakh ha acreage and an annual production of 20,000 tonnes of oil.

•Major mentha producing districts are Barabanki, Rampur, Moradabad, Bijnor, Jyotiba Phule Nagar,
Pilibhit, Bareilly, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Faizabad, etc.a
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AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
REQUIRED FOR MINT FARMING

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10
CROP ROTATION HARVEST & YIELD

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 POSTHARVEST MANAGEMENT

Distillation
Storage of Herbage
➢ The recovery of oil from the herb is 0.5-0.8%. Oil
➢ Mint herbage should be shade
is obtained through steam distillation. The oil is of golden
dried for about a day before it is
yellow colour, containing not less than 75% menthol. The
distilled.
duration of steam distillation is 2-2.5 hours for complete
➢ Care should be taken so that
recovery of the oil. About 80% of the oil is received in the
decomposition of the herbage does
receiver in about one hour’s time. The oil that is received
not initiate during the drying
later is richer in menthol.
process.
➢ There would be some reduction in
➢ The fresh or semi dried herbage is placed in a tank and
oil yield if wilted herbage crop is
treated with passing steam under pressure. The steam that
stored for a longer period of 2-3
comes out of the tank is then passed through a condenser.
days.
The condenser receiving the steam, carrying the oil
➢ As such, storage of herbage for a
extracted from the herbage in the tank is kept constantly
longer period is not recommended.
cool by circulating cold-water over/around it. The condensed
oil and water mixture is collected in a receiver. Since the
water and oil have different densities, oil floats on the
surface of the water in the receiver. The oil is skimmed off
and collected. 12
POSTHARVEST MANAGEMENT CONTD.

Purification of Oil
The oil that is skimmed off must be cleaned of traces of
water that it may carry. For this purpose, a separator
funnel is used. Treating with anhydrous sodium sulphate
and decanting removes any remnant moisture in the oil.
The whole process is highly critical. Steam rectification
process may be applied in case the colour of the oil
changes due to rusting.

Storage and Packing of Oil

PVC drums of good quality (20-200l capacity) and

galvanized iron (GI) drums or aluminium containers are
suitable for short- and long-term storage respectively.

The containers should be kept in cool and dark place. 13

PROCESSING OF MINT AND MINT
PRODUCTS

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 PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA L.)

❖Peppermint tea, brewed from the plant leaves, and the essential oil of peppermint are used in traditional

medicines.

❖One of the most widely consumed single ingredient herbal teas, or tisanes.

❖The phenolic constituents of the leaves include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily

eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin.

❖The main volatile components of the essential oil are menthol and menthone.

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 BENEFITS OF PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA L.)

✓In vitro, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and
antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential.
✓Animal model studies demonstrate a relaxation effect on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, analgesic and
anaesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system, immunomodulation actions and
chemo preventive potential.
✓Human studies on the GI, respiratory tract and analgesic effects of peppermint oil and its constituents
have been reported.
✓Several clinical trials - effects of peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms have been
conducted.
✓Adverse reactions to peppermint tea have not been reported, although caution has been urged for
peppermint oil therapy in patients with GI reflux, hiatal hernia or kidney stones.

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 STORAGE OF FRESH MINT

❑Wrap the mint leaves gently in a

dampened paper towel.
❑Place the mint in a plastic bag, not
sealing all the way so that air can
circulate.
❑Do not wrap tightly; trapped moisture
will cause the herbs to mould.

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 DRYING OF MINT

Cut the mint about 1/3 down the main stem, including the side branches.

• Wash lightly in cold running water. Drain thoroughly on absorbent towels or

Dehydrator hang plants upside down until the water evaporates. Strip leaves off the stalks
and remove blossoms. Follow directions for your dehydrator.

• Dry in the dark by hanging bunches upside down in paper bags. Choose a
well-ventilated, dust-free area (although the bags will help keep out dust and
Natural Air Drying
other surprises). Leaves are ready when they are dry and crumbly, in about 1-
2 weeks.

• Use low heat (less than 180 degrees). Spread leaves on a cookie sheet for 2
Oven Drying
to 4 hours. Leaves are ready when they are dry and crumbly.

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 MICROWAVE DRYING

❖ Place the leaves on a paper towel and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (check after 1 minute and
microwave in additional 10 second increments as needed).
❖ When completely dry, leaves may be crushed or stored whole in airtight containers (canning jars,
for example).
❖ Check daily for moisture – if any, repeat the drying process.
❖ Herbs will mold quickly if exposed to moisture.
❖ Store the mint in a cool, dry place, away from light.

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 SHADE DRYING

Before Drying After Drying

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 FROZEN MINT
Ice Cube Method Baking Sheet Method Vacuum Sealer Method
Pick through the fresh mint, • Follow step one from Ice • Follow step one from Ice
removing damaged leaves and Cube Method Cube Method
tough stems and rinse. Gently spin • Place leaves on a baking • Make a bag from the roll
dry or pat dry between two kitchen
or paper towels.
sheet and freeze 2-3 hours material large enough to hole
• Place mint into freezer bags, the sprigs of mint and allow
Chop the mint leaves (remove space between the herb and
stems) and place 1-2 teaspoons label, date and store in
into each compartment of an ice freezer up to 3 months final seal. Seal one end.
cube tray, filling about halfway. • Label bag with contents and
Top off with water and freeze. date
Once the cubes have frozen, • Place herb sprigs in bag
remove and store in an airtight • Place bag end into the sealer
freezer bag or container in your and vacuum seal, following
freezer, up to 3 months. Don’t manufacturer’s directions
forget to label and date.

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 MINT PRODUCTS AND ITS USES

The oil is used to flavor a variety of foods such as gum or candy and is also used in perfumes,

cosmetics and health care products.

The leaves are also harvested and either dried or used fresh - for teas, flavoring and/or decorating food.

In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are used in the formulation of dentrifices,

mouthwashes and breathe fresheners, skin care products, bath products, and makeup- impart a distinct

odor or flavor to products.

In cosmetic and personal care products, function as skin conditioning agents. Eg: Mint flavoured tea

powder, mint oil, cosmetic mint creams soap, conditioners, sanitizers etc.

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 MINT PRODUCTS AND ITS USES

❑Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as

flavourings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth
rinses, toothpaste, chewing gum, desserts, and candies, such
as mint (candy) and mint chocolate.

❑Approximately 45% of the mint oil produced in the USA is

used for flavouring chewing gum with another 45% used to
flavour dentifrices (tooth paste, mouth wash, etc). The
remaining 10% is used for flavour in the confectionery,
pharmaceutical, liqueur, and aroma therapy industries.

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 MENTHOL CRYSTALS

Menthol crystals which are mainly used by tobacco, pan

Menthol is a monocyclic, saturated
masala, and pharmaceutical industries - prepared by the
secondary terpence alcohol. In nature it
two methods.
occurs as l - menthol, but the former has
Convectional Method
commercial application. When placed on
This method practice into the deep freezer which is at -
the tongue the material imparts a biting
45°C about 48 hours - the freezed oil is transferred into
sensation and slightly bitter taste followed
basket centrifuge in which the menthol crystals are
by a pleasant feeling of cold. It finds
separated in the form of flakes also known as DMO
application in various pharmaceutical
(dementholised oil).
formulations and in condiment industry.
Improved Method:
Basically used for the separation of undesirable products
like monoterpenes & menthone. The oil which is
remaining is further rectified and known as terpeneless oil
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 MENTHOL CRYSTALS -
PRODUCTION

Menthol is generally obtained by chilling mint oil and subsequent centrifuging to separate out the menthol

crystals. The process may be divided into two steps, firstly menthol flakes are produced by chilling mint

oil and secondly menthol flakes mixed with mint oil again chilled to produce bold crystals of menthol. The

total recovery of menthol in the first step is around 70%. The time cycle for first step is around 6-7 days. In

the second step, menthol flakes mixed with certain proportion of mint oil kept under temperature control

for about 25 days. The mother liquor (conc. mint oil) is a bye product and can be used again till

decolourisation of oil occurs. Total recovery of bold menthol crystals is about 50%.

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PEPPERMINT OIL EXTRACTION METHOD

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 TABLETED OR COMPRESSED MINTS

Tableted candies and mints are an offshoot of the pharmaceutical industry that makes pills.
The ingredients for tableted mints are in powder form - granulated in a mixing and bonding method - flow
through a tablet press. The process involves
➢pulverizing (pounding) them to a fine consistency,
➢mixing (most often in a dry process, although wet mixing can be used),
➢compacting the ingredients,
➢sizing the finished grains (sorting out the coarse particles),
➢mixing the ingredients, and
➢flowing them into the tableting machine.
Moisture content is controlled throughout the process (whether it is wet or dry), and the granules are dried
on bed dryers (flat systems) or rotary dryers.
Mixing—one of the last steps—is the process in which flavours and active ingredients like breath
fresheners are added for the most uniform distribution.
Lubricants are mixed last so they coat all the other ingredients well.

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 MACHINERIES FOR SPICE PROCESSING

Drying
Grinding/ Pulverising: Spices are grinded in dry
Dehydration is the most common method used to
form in the pulveriser.
lower moisture content and hence the water activity to
a safe limit which prolongs shelf life of spice. Hot Air
tray dryers are also used for drying. Tray type dryer is
most suitable. Pulveriser with
Motor and
Hot Air tray dryers Accessories
Motor : 3 HP
Capacity: 300kg/hour Width : 4 inch
Material: MS Seives : 4 Nos
Motor: 2 of 1 Hp/3ph Beaters : 4 Nos
Operating Material : C I &
Temperature: 50°C to MS
250° C Price: 46,200/-
Price: 60,000/-

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 MACHINERIES FOR SPICE PROCESSING
Mixing: After all the above operations, Sieving: Sieving is done to remove unwanted
various spices for different purposes are material or for characterizing the particle size
mixed together. Disintegrator machine is distribution of Spice. Sieving Machine can be
used for mixing. used for this purpose.

Disintegrator with
Motor
Capacity: Sieving Machine
100kg/hour Voltage: 440 V
Material: MS Material: SS
Power: 7.5 Hp Motor: Single
Motor Phase
Price: 63,000/- Price: 36,000/-

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 MACHINERIES FOR SPICE PROCESSING

Packaging: At the end, spices powder are

packaged in automatic form fill and sealing
machine.

Automatic Form Fill

Seal Machine
Maximum Output:
1000-2000 /hour
Pouch Capacity:
200-400 grams
Motor : 3Hp
Price: 1.50 Lakh

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 For More details Contact:
National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship and Management
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Plot No. 97, Sector-56, HSIIDC, Industrial Estate, Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana-131028
Website: http:www.niftem.ac.in
Email: pmfmecell@niftem.ac.in
Call: 0130-2281089 31