Objective: To study the different extraction methods of the volatile oil from Mosla soochowensis Matsuda and to determine the optimum extraction method.
Methods: The yields and the chemical constituents of volatile oil were used to compare the different extraction methods including SFE-CO2, steam distillation and organic solvent (petroleum ether) extraction.
Results: The yield of volatile oil by means of SFE-CO2 was 3.46%, which was higher than others. The quality of the oil by means of SFE-CO2 and steam distillation was better. Based on the result of GC-MS, the constituents of volatile oil were similar. It was mainly the methyleugenol, accounted for about 42%. The second was monocyclic terpene, such as bornene, dihydrocarvon, carvacrol, accounted for about 27%. The third was sesqutierpenoids, such as nerolidene etc, accounted for about 19%.
Conclusion: SFEE-CO2 is the optimum extraction method of the volatile oil from Mosla soochowensis Matsuda.