The process conditions during the extraction of carvone and limonene from caraway seed (Carum carvi L.) with microwave-assisted extraction have been studied with respect to microwave power, radiation dose and extraction time in order to obtain the secondary metabolites selectively. Using classical solid-liquid extraction, limonene, carvone and fatty oils in both the raw material and the residual matrix material were extracted. Yields of limonene, carvone and total oil (C-16, C-18) were determined by GC and GC/MS analysis for both extracts. The effects of microwaves on cell walls and cells destruction could be seen on SEM micrographs. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.