Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction followed by RP-HPLC for the simultaneous determination of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis.

An optimized microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method and an efficient HPLC analysis method were developed for fast extraction and simultaneous determination of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis. The open vessel MAE process was optimized by using a central composite experimental design. The optimal conditions identified were microwave power 600 W, temperature 52 degrees C, solvent to material ratio 32 mL/g and extraction time 7 min. The results showed that MAE is a more rapid extraction method with higher yield and lower solvent consumption. The HPLC-photodiode array detection analysis method was validated to have good linearity, precision, reproduction and accuracy. Compared with conventional extraction and analysis methods, MAE-HPLC-photodiode array detection is a faster, convenient and appropriate method for determination of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the fruits of C. sinensis.