The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of pressure, temperature and time on the supercritical fluid extraction of beta-carotene from the crude palm oil. The operating conditions were shown as follows: pressures of 75, 125 and 175 bar, temperatures of 80, 100 and 120 degrees C and extraction time of 1 3 and, 5 h. The extracts were analyzed using UV spectroscopy at a wavelength of 450 nm. Then the experimental data was compared with the data obtained using a statistical method. The results from the model showed a good agreement with the experimental data. The results (obtained from the statistical model) demonstrate that a pressure of 140 bar, temperature of 102 degrees C and extraction time of 3.14 h are required to obtain optimum yield of beta-carotene (1.028 x 10(-2)%) from the extraction process, however the maximum yield of the beta-carotene (1.741 x 10(-2)%) was experimentally obtained at a pressure of 75 bar, temperature of 120 'degrees C and extraction time of 1 h. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.