Objective: To establish a determination method of total triterpenoids in bark of Schefflera octophylla and optimize its extraction technology. Method: Vanillin-perchloric acid-concentrated sulfuric acid method was adopted to determine the content of total triterpenoids with detection wavelength of 540 nm.Based on single-factor tests

L9(34) orthogonal test was designed to investigate effects of solid-liquid ratio

extracting time and times on extraction technology by taking yield of total triterpenoids as index. Result: With oleanolic acid as the reference substance

there was a good linear relationship in 0.083 2-0.280 02 mg

the average recovery was 99.36%.Optimal extraction process was as follows:extracted thrice with 10 times the amount of water

1 h for each time;Under these conditions

average extraction ratio of total triterpenoids was 2.94% with RSD of 0.5%. Conclusion: This established method for determination of total triterpenoids was stable and reliable

optimized extraction technology was reasonable and feasible

which could provide theoretical basis for development of effective parts from bark of S. octophylla.