Towards Bioprospection of Commercial Materials of Mentha spicata L. Using a Combined Strategy of Metabolomics and Biological Activity Analyses

Molecules. 2022 May 31;27(11):3559. doi: 10.3390/molecules27113559.

Abstract

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) has been widely studied for its diversity of compounds for product generation. However, studies describing the chemical and biological characteristics of commercial spearmint materials from different origins are scarce. For this reason, this research aimed to bioprospecting spearmint from three origins: Colombia (Col), Mexico (Mex), and Egypt (Eg). We performed a biological activity analysis, such as FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, inhibition potential of S. pyogenes, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeuroginosa, S. aureus, S aureus Methicillin-Resistant, and E. faecalis. Furthermore, we performed chemical assays, such as total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid, and untargeted metabolomics via HPLC-MS/MS. Finally, we developed a causality analysis to integrate biological activities with chemical analyses. We found significant differences between the samples for the total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid contents, FRAP, and inhibition analyses for Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus and E. faecalis. Also, clear metabolic differentiation was observed among the three commercial materials evaluated. These results allow us to propose data-driven uses for the three spearmint materials available in current markets.

Keywords: antimicrobial activity; antioxidant activity; bioprospection; commercial materials; spearmint; untargeted metabolomics.

MeSH terms

  • Escherichia coli
  • Mentha spicata* / chemistry
  • Metabolomics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Oils, Volatile* / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Polyphenols

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Minciencias and Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development from Government of Antioquia; grant number 710680562744; contract 80740-006-2019.