RESUMO
AIM: To study fingerprint and characteristic components of the essential oil of processed Rhizoma Kaempferiae in order to control quality. METHODS: The fingerprint and characteristic components of the essential oil of 10 samples were determined by GC-MS. RESULTS: trans-Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate,cis-Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate,trans-Ethylcinnamate,n-Pentadecane,3-Carene,Borneol, 8-Heptadecene,Cyperene,Heptadecane,Globulol,Eucalyptol,cis-Methyl-p-methoxycinnamate and Eucarvone were gained in 10 samples,and relative contents of 13 components added up to 94.5%-98.2% of the total essential oil.The retention time and peak area of 13 components had built the characteristic fingerprint of essential oil of processed Rhizoma Kaempferiae. CONCLUSION: The commercial samples collected from various sources shows a strong similarity.The method has a good repeatability and can be used to control quality of processed Rhizoma Kaempferiae.