Extraction of lutein fatty acid esters from marigold flower using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) with cosolvent was investigated. Without the cosolvent, the total xanthophylls yield increased with increasing temperature and pressure of SC-CO2, and the optimal condition was found to be at 60 degrees C and 40MPa. At this condition, the highest total xanthophylls percent recovery was 74.4 +/- 0.9%. Palm oil was found to be a more efficient cosolvent than soybean oil, olive oil, and ethanol, resulting in a 16% increase in the total xanthophylls recovery to 87.2 +/- 4.4% when 10% (w/w) of palm oil was used. Furthermore, saponification of the oleoresin for 3h at 75 degrees C with 40%w/v KOH solution at the oleoresin to solution ratio of 1g to 2ml was found to suitably convert lutein fatty acid esters into free lutein.