Glycyrrhiza glabra was liquefied by ethanol and acetone in an autoclave under high pressure using potassium hydroxide or sodium carbonate as the catalyst, as well as without catalyst at various temperatures (250, 270 and 290 degrees C) for producing bio-oil. The experimental results show that the yield of the main liquefaction product (bio-oil) was influenced significantly by liquefaction parameters such as solvent type, and catalyst type and temperature. The results showed that the maximum bio-oil yield was obtained in acetone (79%) at 290 degrees C without catalyst. The products of liquefaction (bio-oil) were analysed and characterized using various methods including elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. GC MS identified 131 and 147 different compounds in the bio-oils obtained at 270 and 290 degrees C, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.