Objective: To optimize β-cyclodextrin(β-CD) microcapsule extraction process of volatile oil from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Asari Radix et Rhizoma. Method: β-CD and sodium sulfate were employed as extraction agents in aqueous two-phase system

with composite score of volatile oil yield

quality of methyl eugenol and phthalides (in the content of ligustilide) as index

L9 (34) orthogonal test was adopted to optimize extraction and inclusion technology of volatile oil from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Asari Radix et Rhizoma by β-CD microcapsule

the concentration of β-CD and sodium sulfate in extract

extraction methods and temperature were selected as main influence factors.Taking O-xylene and dibutyl phthalate as internal standards

components of volatile oil was analyzed by GC-MS. Result: Optimal extraction process conditions were as follows:soaked 24 h with 3 times the amount of 40% ethanol

heated to temperature of 60 ℃ and stirred for 60 min

then vacuum suction filtrated

β-CD and sodium sulfate were added to filtrate to the concentration of 300 g·L-1 and of 50 g·L-1

respectively;stirred and extracted for 30 min at 50 ℃.Under these conditions

yield of volatile oil was 86.54%

contents of methyl eugenol and phthalides (in the content of ligustilide) were 75.88 mg and 353.91 mg. Conclusion: Technologies for extraction and inclusion of volatile oil from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Asari Radix et Rhizoma are feasible and suitable for industrial production of volatile oil preparations for β-CD inclusion.