ABSTRACT
Objective To select the best condition for microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of flavones from leaves of Ginkgo biloba L . and compare this method with the most conventional extraction way. Methods Both microwave assisted extraction and theat maceration were adopted for flavones from leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. , and the total content was determined by spectrophotometry. Results Under appropriate MAE conditions, both the recovery and purity of total flavones obtained from the experiments by uniform design and the orthogonal design were very similar. The optimal recovery and purity by orthogonal experimental design were 212 4 mg/g and 61 9%, respectively. The optimal results by orthogonal experimental design were 216 2 mg/g and 57 1%, respectively. However, the results by maceration were only 114 6 mg/g and 40 1%, respectively. Conclusion MAE is a more suitable method for the extraction of flavones from leaves of Ginkgo biloba L . because of its higher extraction rate and purity.