In this study, the extraction of crambe seed oil Crambe abyssinica H. FMS Brilhante using subcritical propane as a solvent was investigated. The extraction yield and oil characteristics were compared with the oil extracted using n-hexane and dichloromethane. A factorial experimental design was used in order to evaluate the effects of temperature (313-353 K) and pressure (8-16 MPa) on the extracted yield using subcritical propane. It was observed that the temperature has the most significant effect on the extraction yield and the highest yield (32.8 wt%) was obtained at 353 K and 16 MPa. The experimental conditions showed no significant influence on fatty acids composition. Low levels of free fatty acids were found in the extracts (<2%), and the amounts of phytosterols and tocopherols were affected by the subcritical extraction conditions. A longer oxidative induction time was observed for the obtained oil using the subcritical method. The Sovova mathematical model represented satisfactorily the experimental data. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.