[Determination of major volatile components in suhexiang wan (storax pill) using analytical supercritical fluid...

A new method based on the off-line coupling of analytical SFE and GC has been developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of major volatile components in Suhexiang Wan, a Chinese patent medicine. The factors affecting extraction efficiency were examined to seek the optimal operating parameters. Quantitative recovery (90%) was achieved with 20 ml CO2 in ca 1 h using a self-designed analytical SFE system. Compared with the conventional methods, the SFE as an alternative technique for sample preparation will be most useful in the quality control of Chinese patent medicine.