Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of eugenol from Eugenia caryophyllata was performed. The optimization of parameters was carried out using an analytical-scale supercritical fluid extraction system. Then the extraction was scaled up by 60x using a preparative SFE system under the optimized conditions of 50 degrees C, 30 MPa and a sample particle size of 40-60 mesh. The yield of the preparative SFE was 17.1 % and the yield of eugenol was 94 mg/g of dry buds. Eugenol in the extract was separated and purified by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:0.5:1:0.5, v/v). From 1.5 g of crude extract, 804 mg of eugenol was obtained at 98.5% purity as determined by HPLC. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.