[Stable life predection for Mentha haplocalyx by initial average rate stability test].

To predict the stable life for Mentha haplocalyx. The volatiles in M. haplocalyx were analyzed by head-space solid micro-extraction, coupled with GC-MS and a comprehensive evaluation of essential oil in M. haplocalyx was analyzed using the factor analysis. The prediction was carried out by initial average rate stability tests using the content of essential oil and the main volatiles as indices. Principal component analysis indicated that pulegone and isomenthone can fully describe the quality of prepared slices. The t(0.9, 20 degrees C) was 5.49 years and 2.88 years respectively, carried out by essential oil, pulegone and isomenthone. The stable life for M. haplocalyx under 20 degrees C was 2.88 years.