Abstract: Objective: An HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, quercetin and kaempferol in loquat leaves was proposed based on rapid ultrasonic-assisted extraction using the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 as the extractant. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18 column using a mobile phase made up of methanol and 0.25% acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and the analytes were detected with a UV detector at 350 nm. Results: The calibration curves for chlorogenic acid, quercetin and kaempferol were linear in the range of 0.011－220μg/mL (r＝0.9997), 0.065－130μg/mL (r＝0.9999), 0.068－136μg/mL (r＝0.9999), respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.94, 0.22, 0.27 ng/mL (RSN＝3), respectively. The average recoveries across three spike levels ranged from 90.71% to 94.88% (n＝3). Conclusion: The method is simple, rapid, convenient, sensitive, and environment-friendly, and thus can provide a new and scientific means for assaying the contents of flavonoids and chlorogenic acid in loquat leaves.

Key words: folium eriobotryae, Triton X-100 surfactant, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), chlorogenic acid, quercetin, kaempferol