Microwave technique was employed to extract phenols from burdock leaves.The effects of four independent variables(time,microwave power,extraction times,and solvent to solid ratio) on the recovery of phenols from burdock leaves were evaluated.The good conditions for microwave extraction of phenols were determined.The optimal conditions to obtain the highest recovery of phenols were:three minutes of extracting time,160W of microwave power,extraction twice and 20 mL/g of solvent to solid ratio.Under these optimal conditions,the average recovery of phenols was 93.93%.The experiments indicated that the antioxidant activity(DPPH radical scavenging ability,hydroxyl radical scavenging capability) of the extract from burdock leaves was very high.Moreover,the extract of burdock leaves exhibited higher antibacterial activity.The MIC values of burdock leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae were determined to be 2.20,2.80 and 3.00 mg/mL.