Abstract: The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction process of polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae by response surface methodology (RSM).Extraction temperature,extraction duration,solidliquid ratio and times of extraction were investigated by single factor tests and RSM using the yield of polysaccharides from C.cicadae as index.The optimum extraction conditions of polysaccharides were optimized as follows:extraction temperature of 88 ℃,solid-liquid ratio of 1:23, extraction duration of 97min and with two times of extraction.Under the optimized condition,the yield of polysaccharides was determined to be 6.787%,which was in line with predicted value.Hence,it was concluded that the model well predicted the yield of polysaccharides from C.cicadae, and RSM was applicable and feasible for the optimization of the extraction process of polysaccharides from C.cicadae.

Key words: Cordyceps cicadae, polysaccharides, extraction, response surface methodology