Abstract: The primary goal of this research was to improve the ratio of total flavonoids extracted from persimmon leaves. The technique applied was referred to as response surface methodology which is a good experimental design method commonly used in the optimization of extraction technology. The method used in this study was microwave-assisted extraction. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions of total flavonoids from persimmon leaves were as follows: microwave power 422.360 W; extraction time 20.970 min, and liquid-solid ratio 20.660∶1. In this case, the extraction rate could reach 6.15 %. From the experiments, it was concluded that response surface methodology was a good method for improving the ratio of total flavonoids extraction from persimmon leaves．

Key words: persimmon leaves, total flavonoids, response surface methodology, microwave-assisted extraction