Objective: To identify Ginseng and Quinquefolius by analysis of their volatile components; Method: Ginseng and Quinquefolius volatile components were extracted by Soxhlet

Steam distillation

SPME

Purge and trap extraction

methods

separated and detected by GC -MS

analyzed by searching NIST library and KI value. Result: There are obvious difference in type and content of volatile compounds in Ginseng and Quinquefolius using four different extraction methods. 42 (relative amount 69%) and 28 (41%) terpenoid components were identified in Ginseng samples and Quinquefolius samples by steam distillation respectively; 26 (50%) and 15 (18%) terpenoid components were identified in Ginseng samples and Quinquefolius samples by Soxhlet; 18(49%) and 5 (46%) terpenoid components were identified in Ginseng samples and Quinquefolius samples by SPME respectively; 2 (4%) and 4 (13%) terpenoid components were identified in Ginseng samples

and Quinquefolius samples by purge and trap extraction Conclusion: Characteristic volatile components in Ginseng and Quinquefolius are different under the same extraction conditions. We could use these properties to distinguish between the two herbs.