One and two step extraction processes were used to obtain extracts from two samples of alecrim do campo leaves (Baccharis dracunculifolia L). In the one step process, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)), ethanol and water were used as solvents. In the two step process, scCO(2) was used as a solvent in the first step followed by ethanol or water as the solvent in a second step on the residue resulting from scCO(2) extraction. Extraction yields, total polyphenol, total flavonoid and Artepillin C contents, antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging and beta-carotene bleaching methods were measured in all extracts. The supercritical extract showed a higher concentration and yield of Artepillin C, low antioxidant activity by the DPPH method and high antioxidant activity by the beta-carotene method. In general the aqueous and ethanol extracts were more concentrated in polyphenol compounds and a second extraction step produced high yields with high concentrations of phenolic compounds. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.