Experimental results concerning the processing feasibility of using supercritical CO₂ were reported for the extraction of epicuticular wax from Ephedra herb. Subsequently the isolability of nonacosan-10-ol from the total extract of epicuticular wax was evaluated by TLC and gas chromatography. Also, Soxhlet extractions of Ephedra herb by n-hexane and chloroform were performed and these results were compared with those obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction. As a result, we could demonstrate that supercritical CO₂ can be an economical alternative to the organic solvents in processing the medicinal plant.

SFE Ephedra Herb Epicuticular Wax Layer Nonacosan-10-ol Carbon Dioxide

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