Abstract: The polysaccharides in the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. were extracted by microwave technique in order to preserve their activity and improve the extracting rate. The optimum parameters of the technology were determined through orthogonal test. Then this technique was used for the extraction of the polysaccharides in the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. whose contents were assayed by the anthrone-sulfuric acid method. The results showed that the optimum technical parameters were the ratio of [S]/[L] with 1:15 and the extracting time with 65s under 60% microwave power. In contrast to other extraction methods, it showed that the extraction rate of the microwave technique was better and the extraction time was shorter. The microwave technique could be a better method for extracting the polysaccharides in the seeds of Plantago asiatica L..

Key words: microwave technique, polysaccharides in the seeds of Plantago asiatica L, extraction