Abstract: In this study,a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method was employed to extract the essential oil from Tricholoma matsutake. The extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM).Furthermore,the chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS).The optimal conditions to obtain the highest yield of essential oil were determined as:32.46 MPa pressure,46.01 ℃ temperature and 89.15 vol.% ethanol.Furthermore,9,12-octadecadienoic acid,ergosterol and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl 9,12-octadecadienoate were the major constituents presented in T.matsutake.  Among them,9,12-octadecadienoic acid and ergosterol can inhibit melanin synthesis.

Key words: Tricholoma matsutake, essential oil, supercritical fluid extraction, response surface methodology, chemical analysis