A rapid and environmentally-friendly method of carotenoid extraction from Blakeslea trispora was performed using low-pressure steam explosion for cell disruption and ethyl lactate for the extraction. Response surface methodology determined the optimal extraction conditions to obtain the maximum carotenoid yield. These optimal conditions consisted of low-pressure steam explosion at 0.2 MPa for 4.4 min, followed by extraction with ethyl lactate at a ratio of 1:25 at 39 A degrees C for 45 min. Optimal technology was used, and the total carotenoid yield reached 95.6 %. In contrast to previously methods, the time-consuming drying process was eliminated and the extraction time was significantly decreased. Ethyl lactate is an environmentally-friendly solvent with low toxicity in this method.