Solid-liquid extraction of anthocyanins from calyces of Hibiscus sabdanffa L was studied to evaluate the influence of the operating parameters. Solid-to-solvent ratio and particle size had the main impact on anthocyanin extraction efficiency. Maximum yield of anthocyanins (88%) was obtained at 25 degrees C with the highest solid-to-solvent ratio (1/25). The decrease in the particle size of the calyces from 2 cm to 150 mu m drastically reduced the extraction time. The increase of temperature reduced the extraction time by increasing the diffusion coefficient (3.9 x 10(-11)-1.35 x 10(-10) m(2) s(-1) between 25 and 90 degrees C) but did not modify the extraction yield. A simple extraction model that integrated anthocyanin thermo-degradation kinetic was proposed. A good agreement between the predicted results of the models and experimental data was demonstrated. From a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1/5, an extraction yield of 63% and an anthocyanin concentration of 0.3 g L(-1) could be obtained in less than 10 min. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.