Abstract: The objectives of this study were to develop an analytical method for the determination of the relative density of volatile oil and concentration of d-nerolidol in Dalbergia odorifera, and hence to evaluate the quality of D.odorifera from different origins.D.odorifera volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation.The relative density of volatile oil was determined by pycnometer method.Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GCFID) was used to determine the concentration of d-nerolidol.Pycnometer method was accurate ［RAD＜5%(n=10)］ with good repeatability (RSD 0.04%＜2%) and precision ［RAD%＜5%(n=15)］.Westphal balance method was successfully substituted by pycnometer method to determinate the relative density of volatile oil in D.odorifera.GCFID method was accurate and precise with RSD%< 1%.The linear relationship within the range of 0.203~5.080 mg/mL(r=0.9995) was good.The recovery was 100.5% with RSD 1.37% (n=6).Pycnometer method was simple for the determination of the relative density of volatile oil from D.odorifera with using less amount of sample.The developed GCFID method was accurate and sensitive with good reproducibility.This method was capable to be used for the determination of volatile oil in D.odorifera.The yield of volatile oil,relative density and concentration of d-nerolidol of volatile oil from D.odorifera varied with origins.

Key words: Dalbergia odorifera, pycnometer method;relative density;gas chromatography;d-nerolidol