Abstract: The process of enzyme-assisted extraction of total flavonoids from the leaves of Elaeagnus mollis Diels was optimized. Based on the single-factor tests, the effects of enzyme amount, time of enzymatic hydrolysis, pH value and temperature of enzymatic hydrolysis on the extraction yields of total flavonoids from E.mollis Diels leaves were studied by response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that cellulase showed better ability of enzymatic hydrolysis. The optimum enzyme-assisted extraction process was: enzyme amount 6.5 mg·g^-1, time 1.5 h, pH value 4.7 and temperature 46℃. The highest yield of total flavonoids was 7.1%.

Key words: Elaeagnus mollis leaves, total flavonoids, enzymatic hydrolysis, RSM