A single stage straight forward process for extraction and isolation of lutein ester from the dried petals of marigold flowers Tagetes species using the carbondioxide as the supercritical fluid was developed. The pressure maintained for the extraction was up to 625 bar and at temperature up to 750 Centigrade. Lutein ester of high strength and purity up to 70% was achieved for the first time in single stage from the dried petals of marigold flowers-Tagetes species while enrichment of the lutein ester content up to 98% was achieved by crystallization of the lutein ester obtained from supercritical carbon dioxide extract (SCFE). The high strength and purified lutein ester isolated by supercritical fluid-single stage extraction process are free from saturated fat, oil, waxy impurities and serve as a safe source of nutritional supplement for human consumption and color additive for human foods.
