Ultrasonic extraction of flavonoids and phenolics from loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) flowers

Ethanol was used to extract flavonoids and phenolics from loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. cv. Ruantiaobaisha) flowers with ultrasonic pharmaceutical managing machine. Single-factor and orthogonal experiment were used to investigate the optimum extraction condition. The results showed that, the combination of 30°C, 80 min, 60% ethanol and 1:40 material ratio was optimum extraction condition with the highest yields of flavonoids and phenolics at 47 kHz/500 W. Under the optimum extraction condition, two consecutive extractions was enough, the extraction rates of flavonoids and phenolics were all more than 90%, with the contents of 10.59 and 102.02 mg/g dry weight, respectively.Key words: Eriobotrya japonica, flower, flavonoids, phenolics, ultrasonic extraction