Biochemical Study of Special Crops

Part I. Mint plant and redoxpotential

Abstract

The authors estimated the redoxpotential, menthol (both free and conjugated) and methone contents of the mint plant during its growth-term from June 10 to September 14, 1944. The curve of redoxpotential changed, drawing higher and lower waves. In the lower parts, of the curve, the mint plant showed the step-like increase of free menthol. In general, enzyme action is more active in the more reductive area of potential than in more oxidative. From this point of view, it is probable that a new esterase is present in the mint plant and menthone is formed-through the menthol-ester by the esterase and dehydrogenases.