Micropropagation of Minthostachys mollis (HBK) grieseb. and essential oil composition of clonally propagated plants

Cultures of Minthostachys mollis were established from nodal explants obtained under aseptic conditions. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) half-strength medium containing B-benzyladenine (BA), and/or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Optimum numbers of healthy shoots were induced on media containing 0.05 mu M NAA plus 2.2 mu M BA; higher concentrations caused more hyperhydricity and less extension. Rooting was achieved on half-strength MS medium with 0.05 mu M NAA. Plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transferred to soil. Essential oil composition of the regenerated plants were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and little differences were found in the essential oil composition with the plant grown in the wild.