Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is widely utilized in traditional medicine and folk remedies. The fresh and dried plants and their essential oils are widely used in food, cosmetics, confectionery, chewing gum, toothpaste, and pharmaceutical industries. In this research, the essential oil of air-dried samples was obtained by hydro-distillation and was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Changes in essential oil compositions were detected during storage for 3 months in refrigerator (4 ◦C), freezer (−20 ◦C), and at room temperature (25 ◦C). The results indicated that at room temperature, the proportions of the compounds with lower boiling temperatures such as 1,8-Cineole (3.78-3.34%), Limonene (7.33-6.61%), and Germacrene D (6.26-1.90%) were decreased significantly. Furthermore, the essential oil composition showed the least alterations and Mentha spicata L. kept its primary quality when stored at low temperatures, particularly in the freezer, and carvone had an increased significantly in all of the treatments Manuscript profile

Organic fertilizers play a significant role in organic systems and sustainable soil management. In general, organic fertilizers increase soil fertilization so can reduce the negative effects of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic man-made fertilizers. This study was carried out in the Medicinal Plants Farm of Shahid Bakeri Higher Education Center of Miandoab during summer 2017. Thus, the main objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on the morpho-physiological (Diameter of plant, Plant height, Number of branch, 1000-seed weight, and Seed yield), biochemical contents (amount of N, P, K, Soluble sugar, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll a, b, total phenol content, and Proline content) and essential oil content of ajowan. The results showed that the fertilizers could significantly enhance all determined factors as compared to control samples. Vermicompost had better effect than chemical fertilizer in some factors including total phenol, chlorophylls, carotenoids, total soluble sugar, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium contents (p <0.05). The vermicompost as a potential source of plant nutrients for sustainable ajowan production can reduce health and environmental problems. Manuscript profile