Abstract: Objective:The volatile compound from the rhizome of Rhodiola rosea was investigated by anti-oxidation activities and antimicrobial activities to provide scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of this natural resource. Methods:The volatile compound from the rhizome of Rhodiola rosea was extracted by steam distillation method,these components in the volatile compound were separated and structurally identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS),moreover,the relative contents of these components by the peak-area normalization method adopted in gas chromatography(GC),and all components of the volatile compound was calibrated with a standard mixture of homologous n-alkane series. The scavenging effect of the volatile compounds on ·OH produced by H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ system was investigated,the antimicrobial activities were evaluated with the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)by broth microdilution method and the minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC)by flat plate conversion method. Results:A total of 53 compounds were identified,the components with higher contents in the volatile compound were 1-octanol(42.72%),(Z)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol(29.85%),phenylethyl alcohol(9.67%),(-)-myrtenol(2.69%),linalool(1.89%). The volatile compound had obvious action to anti-oxidation activities of scavenging effect for ·OH,its half maximal inhibitory concentration value(IC₅₀)was 0.0073 mg/mL. The volatile compound showed inhibitory effect on the 7 strains tested,especially showed the best antimicrobial activities against S. aureus ATCC 25925 with MIC=0.12 mg·mL^-1 and MBC=0.36 mg·mL^-1,and against E. coli ATCC 25922 with MIC=0.58 mg·mL^-1 and MBC=1.90 mg·mL^-1. Conclusin:These volatile compounds from the rhizome of Rhodiola rosea by steam distillation method were various,which was a kind of natural anti-oxidant and antimicrobial substance.