Abstract: Steam distilliation process conditions of Chinese sweetgum resin from Jiangxi, Guizhou and Guangxi provinces of China were studied. The physicochemical properties of the Chinese sweetgum resin and the essential oil obtained from steam distillation with different temperature, including appearance, oil content, acid value, saponification value, softening point, viscocity and color etc. By comparative analysis of the physical and chemical data, the optimal distillation technology was selected as follows:the time of distillation 30 min, the distillation temperature of Jiangxi resin 175-180℃, Guangxi resin 190-195℃ and Guizhou resin 200-205℃.

Key words: Chinese sweetgum resin, steam distillation, Chinese sweeetgum essential oil