Abstract: The extraction process of total flavonoids in prunus cerasifera was optimized in this paper. Crude extracts were extracted by ethanol leaching method. The detection was carried out with an ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. The results showed that different extraction solvent, changing the concentration of extraction solvent, changing the ratio of material to liquid, changing the temperature and extraction time would affect the extraction effect of total flavonoids in prunus cerasifera. When the concentration of ethanol was 70%, the ratio of material to liquid was 1∶45, and the extraction time was 70 min in a constant temperature water bath at 70 ℃, the extraction rate of total flavonoids in prunus cerasifera was the highest, which can reach 8.24%.

Key words: prunus cerasifera, total flavonoids, extraction process, ethanol extraction