Menthyl acetate explained

Menthyl acetate should not be confused with methyl acetate.

Menthyl acetate is a natural monoterpene which contributes to the smell and flavor of peppermint. It is the acetate ester of menthol. Menthyl acetate constitutes 3–5% of the volatile oil of mentha piperita, contributing to its smell and flavour.^{[1] [2]}

Notes and References

1. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 4th Edition, Thomson Healthcare, page 640.
2. Nature’s Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Studies on the Isolation of (−)-Menthol from Peppermint Oil and Its Conversion to (−)-Menthyl Acetate Maeve Egan, Éilis Margaret Connors, Zeeshan Anwar, and John J. Walsh Journal of Chemical Education 2015 92 (10), 1736-1740