Solvent extraction, ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) were examined for the extraction of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis. In all cases, acetone was found to give the highest astaxanthin recovery compared with other selected solvents, i.e., methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile. Among the various methods, MAE at 75 degrees C for 5min resulted in the highest astaxanthin recovery (74 +/- 4%).