Extraction of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Oil by Supercritical CO_2 and Chemical Components of the Extract

Rosmarinus officinalis L.is a greatly concerned plant containing natural antioxidant.Essential oil was extracted from the stems and leaves of the plant produced in Fujian by supercritical CO2 technology.Programmed pressurizing and programmed warming in the extraction process was applied.The chemical components of the essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS.There are 44 peaks,and 43 are identified by MS with NITS mass standard data.They represent 97.83% of the total essential oil.Mixed aroma of high content components,such as α-pinene(10.54%),camphene(4.63%),limonene(7.27%),eucalyptol(11.76%) and camphor(9.25%),make up the featured aroma of Rosmarinus officinalis L..According to the international standard of essential oil,Rosmarinus officinalis L.produced in Fujian is much close to Tunis/Morocco type.