Microwave-assisted Hydrodistillation of Essential Oil from Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

[Objective]To extract essential oil from the leaves of thyme( Thymus Vulgaris). [Methods]Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation was used as an effective method in extraction of thyme essential oil. [Results]Extraction conditions were optimized to increase the yield of essential oil. The essential oil composition of thyme leaves were investigated by GC-MS and 52 volatile compounds were identified,representing96. 13% of as-obtained essential oil. Carvacrol,thymol,borneol,2-methoxy-3-( 2-propenyl)-phenol and spathulenol were found to be the major components,respectively. [Conclusions]The essential oil obtained was mainly composed of active monoterpene phenols,monoterpene hydrocarbon and sesquiterpenes. MAHD is a simple,rapid,energy-saving and inexpensive extraction method that deserves to be considered as an alternative technique in extraction of volatile compounds from other plants.