Comparison of extraction methods for total flavonoids from abrus cantoniensis

To optimize the extraction process of total flavonoids from Abrus cantoniensis, with the extraction rate of total flavonoids as index by orthogonal test, the conditions of extracting flavonoids were studied by ultrasonic-assisted method and ethanol refluxing method. The optimal ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follows: ultrasonic power 90 W, ethanol concentration 50%, solid to liquid ratio 1:40, and extraction time 20min.Under these conditions, the extraction rate of total flavonoids was 2.92%. The optimal ethanol refluxing extraction conditions were as follows: temperature 80℃, ethanol concentration 60%, solid to liquid ratio 1:30, and extraction time 1.0h. Under these conditions, the extraction rate of total flavonoids was 3.12%. The extraction rate of total flavonoids by ethanol refluxing method was higer than ultrasonic-assisted method, but it took the long pretreatment time.