A microalgae extract is disclosed consisting of: (A) 40-95 wt. % of a polar phase comprising: (i) 15-75 wt. % water (ii) 20-80 wt. % of alcohols, acetone and/or combinations thereof (iii) 0-10 wt. % of sodium chloride (iv) up to 40 wt. % of other water soluble components (B) 5-60 wt. % of an apolar phase comprising: (i) 70-99.5 wt. % of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, phosphatides, free fatty acids and/or combinations thereof (ii) 0.05-25 wt. % of oil-soluble pigment (iii) up to 30 wt. % of other oil soluble components and (iv) optionally other components in a concentration that does not exceed 9% by weight of the water contained in the extract, wherein the extract contains less than 0.5% by weight of the apolar phase of apolar organic solvent selected from C5-C10 alkanes. Processes for extracting an oil-soluble pigment from wet biomass of micro-organisms are also disclosed.
