Microwave distillation followed by headspace single drop microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for fast analysis of volatile components of Echinophora platyloba DC

► Microwave distillation headspace single drop microextraction (MD-HS-SDME) was used. ► Different parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of MD-HS-SDME were optimised. ► Volatile components in aerial parts of Echinophora platyloba DC were identified. ► Fifty-three components were extracted and identified by using the MD-HS-SDME method. ► A comparative study is made between MD-HS-SDME and the traditional HD methods.