Abstract: Total flavonoids in Actinidia arguta were determined separately by ZrOCl2 colorimetry, NaNO2-Al(NO3)3 colorimetry, AlCl3 colorimetry and HPLC. Wavelength scanning of flavonoid extracts and rutin after reaction with different chromogenic reagents was performed in a range of 200－600 nm. Results showed that NaNO2-Al(NO3)3 colorimetry and AlCl3 colorimetry were fount not suitable for the determination of total flavonoids in Actinidia arguta. An excellent linear equation for ZrOCl2 colorimetric determination at 284 nm wavelength was obtained as follows: Y284 = 0.0114X－0.0001, R2 = 0.9991. The average recovery rate was 99.4% with a RSD of 1.61% (n = 5). ZrOCl2 colorimetry is a quick accurate method for the determination of total flavonoids in Actinidia arguta.

Key words: Actinidia arguta, total flavonoids, colorimetry