Abstract: The optimum process of extracting capsaicin,the bioactive component in paprika( Capsicum annuum L.) was studied.The optimum extraction process was optimized with orthogonal test.Experiments were made by using L₉(3⁴) orthogonal design with extractive yield of capsaicin as the index,investigating the influence of ethanol concentration,temperature,extracting time and the ratio of solid to liquid.Optimum extraction conditions were determined as follows:temperature 70℃,time 0.5 h,70% EtOH as extracting solvent,stock ratio 1:10(mass:volume),extracting for three times.

Key words: Capsicum annuum L., capsaicin, orthogonal test