Objective: To establish an HPLC method for the content determination of quercitrin in Emilia prenanthoidea. Method: The orthogonal experiment design and single factor test combined with statistical analysis had been applied to optimize the extraction conditions of E. prenanthoidea for improving the yield of quercitrin. The contents of quercitrin in E. prenanthoidea were determined by HPLC; detection was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm) with acetonitrile-0.1% acetic acid solution (20:80) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 351 nm

and sample size was 10 μL. Result: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows:0.5 g medicinal powder (40 mesh)

added with 20 mL 80% methanol solution

and then hot reflux extraction for 30 min one time. Quercitrin had excellent linearity within the concentration range in 5.541-177.3 mg·L-1 (r=0.999 9)

and the average recovery rate was 99.87% (RSD 2.0%). Conclusion: The established HPLC method is simple

rapid

and accurate

so it can be used for the quality control of Emilia prenanthoidea.