Analysis of the Volatile Oil Components of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. by GC-MS

[Objective] This paper was to study the chemical components of volatile oil from Polygala tenuifolia Willd. which could provide a reference for evaluating its medicinal value. [Method] The volatile oil from P. tenuifolia was extracted by simultaneous distillation and extraction(SED), then its chemical compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. [Result] The results showed that 16 compounds were separated from the volatile oil of P. tenuifolia, and 14 compounds of the formula, molecular weight, and relative content were identified. [Conclusion] Oleic acid is the major chemical constituents in the volatile oil, which accounts for 52.81%, the next are the palmitic acid and steraic acid, which account for 28.26% and 12.78% respectively.