A microwave-ultrasonic-assisted extraction (MUAE) method and apparatus on polysaccharides from fresh fruits of Lycium barbarum was developed. The main parameters of the MUAE were optimized: microwave power of 500 W, microwave time of 10 min, ultrasonication time of 30 min, ultrasonication temperature of 50C and pH 9.0. The MUAE showed obvious advantages in short duration, high efficiency and saving energy in comparison with the traditional Soxhlet extraction.