Abstract
Peppermint is a widely cultivated commercial crop, but the plants are susceptible
to several insect and fungal infections. Polybutene emulsion sprays are used as pesticides
and in pesticidal formulations and were considered to be potentially useful for control
of pests on peppermint. Three polybutene preparations were applied to healthy peppermint
plants and the effects of these products on the yield and quality of oil derived from
the plants were assessed. The treatments caused premature ageing of the leaves and
the quantitative composition of the oils had altered relative to controls, resulting
in low quality oil. Some of the pesticide residue codistilled with the peppermint
oil. It was shown that preparations containing polybutenes are unsuitable for application
to peppermint and should not be applied to crops which are to be extracted by steam
distillation.
