Search

Objective To determine the chemical compositions of volatile oil extracted from Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (mint) collected during different harvest periods by using headspace solid phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS/SPME-GC-MS). Methods The volatile oils were extracted by the method of headspace solid phase micro-extraction, then the chemical compositions were determined by using GC-MS and quantified by the area normalization method. Results A total of 47 compositions were detected in Menthae Haplocalycis Herba in mature stage, and 12 of those had been identified with the total content to be 78.23%. By comparing with the relative amount of menthone, l-limonene and l-menthol extracted from the herbal medicine samples collected during different harvest periods, which are the key components in biosynthesis pathway of the herb, the preliminary determination of the best time to harvest was September. Conclusion The effective and rapid method for the determination of volatile oils provided basis for studying the dynamic changes of the chemical compositions of volatile oil extracted from Menthae Haplocalycis Herba and the proper time to harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]