DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v26i5.63

Keywords: Mentha piperita; phytochemical; antibacterial; antioxidant

Abstract

M. piperita or peppermint is well-known among medical herbs for its own healing properties, which could be used to cure many diseases. The phytochemical and biological activities of Mentha piperita were studied. The plant was extracted by using three different polarities of solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol through the cold extraction method. The result has shown that the highest percentage yield was ethyl acetate leaves extract which was 25.93%. The phytochemical screening analysis was done on each extract and it revealed there were many secondary metabolic presences in M. piperita such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, terpenoids and phenols. Antibacterial study was conducted by using disc diffusion method against four types of selected bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia. The study has shown that the highest antibacterial activity was recorded on ethyl acetate and methanol against Klebsiella pneumonia with a diameter inhibition of 18 mm. In addition, antioxidant study has revealed the highest antioxidant activity on methanol extract with percentage inhibition of 83.49%. The extracts of Mentha piperita have high antibacterial and antioxidant potential and could be used as medicine.