method of extracting astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma with various solvents after acid washing was investigated. The extraction efficiency was distinctly increased after acid washing of P. rhodozyma cells. When the concentration of HCl was 0.4 mol.L-1, the highest extraction efficiency of astaxanthin was achieved which was about three times higher than the control. Acetone or benzene as single polar or non-polar solvent was the most effective solvent in our research. With a combination of isopropanol and n-hexane (volume ratio of 2 : 1), the maximal extraction efficiency was achieved, approximately 60% higher than that obtained with a single solvent. The liquid-solid ratio and the extracting time were also optimized. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the extraction yield of astaxanthin exceeded 98%.