Supercritical CO2 extraction of essential oil from Dracocephalum tanguticum Max-im and analysis by GC-MS

The feasibility of active components of Dracocephalum tanguticum Max-im (DtM) extracted by supercritical CO2 was discussed in this paper. The components of the essential oil from the DtM were analyzed by GC-MS. The optimal conditions of supercritical CO2 extraction: pressure 20 MPa, extraction temperature 50 degrees C, extraction time 75 min, CO2 flow 1.0 L(.)min(-1) were obtained. Seventy-six components from DtM were separated and identified by supercritical CO2 extraction. There is an abundance of unsaturated fatty acid, saturated fatty acid, acid, alkane, and ester in the essential oil extracted from the DtM. The study established a good method for further studying medical applications and develoment of the DtM.