ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical compositions of the essential oils of Eupatorium fortunei extracted by CO2-supercritical-fluid-extraction(SFE-CO2) vs.steam distillation extraction(SD).METHODS: The essential oils of the E.fortunei were extracted by SD vs.SFE-CO2.The chemical components were separated and analyzed by GC-MS.RESULTS: 31 compounds were identified in the essential oils of E.fortunei extracted by SFE-CO2,accounting for 75.97% of the peak area of the total ion-current chromatogram,with 2-propenoic acid-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl ester showing the highest proportion(40.50%).21 compounds were identified in the essential oils of E.fortunei extracted by SD,accounting for 51.70% of the peak area of the total ion-current chromatogram,with caryophyllene showing the highest proportion(10.35%).13 components were mutual in both extraction methods.The contents of the components varied greatly.CONCLUSION: SFE-CO2 is more stable and reliable and reproducible than SD,and it is more applicable for the extraction of the essential oils from Chinese herbal medicine.