Abstract: On the basis of single factor experiments,response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction process of limonene from pericarp of Citrus wilsonii Tanaka. The extraction technology of limonene from mature pericarp of Citrus wilsonii Tanaka was studied by steam distillation. Based on single factor experiments,sodium carbonate was selected as salting-out component,the three factors of liquid-material ratio,salt dosage and extraction time were set as the independent variables,and response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process of limonene.The isolated limonene product was identified by GC-MS and IR analysis. Research results showed that the optimum technological parameters for the extraction of limonene were as follows:The ratio of liquid to material was 4.6:1,the dosage of sodium carbonate was 1.05 g,and the extraction time was 63 min. Under these conditions,the theoretical value and validation value of the extraction rate of limonene was 2.75% and 2.76%,respectively,which were very close to each other.The model could well predict the extraction rate of limonene.