RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To optimize the microwave-assisted extraction of total organic acids from Isatis indigotica. METHODS: With the dissolution rate of total organic acids as indexes, the content of total organic acids was determiend by acid-base titration and the three main factors including volume of solvent, microwave power and extraction time in the extraction process were optimized by orthogonal test. RESULTS: The optimal extraction process is to add 15 times amount of water and extract at a microwave power of 522 W for 20 minutes. Under the above condition, the extraction rate was 4.83%, close to the extraction yield achieved by water decoction for 2 h. CONCLUSION: The microwave-assisted extraction of total organic acids from Radix Isatidis is characterized by rapid, simple, efficient and energy-saving etc, thus deserving to be be popularized.