Abstract:To optimize the extraction process of saponins from corn silk, Central composite design combining quadratic polynomial stepwise regression analysis were applied to optimize extraction conditions. The optimal technological conditions can be concluded as follows: ultrasonic extraction temperature 50 ℃, ethanol concentration 90%, cellulase dosage 1.62% and ultrasonic extraction time 30 min. On these conditions, the yield of corn silk saponins was up to 2.24%.