This study examines the effects of pressure, temperature and solvent to solid ratio (SSR) on extraction efficiency of triglycerides from powdered Jatropha seeds by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Supercritical extractions were designed for pressures ranging from 250 to 350 bar, temperatures ranging from 313 to 333 K and SSR values ranging from 65:1 to 125: 1. All values were selected using response surface methodology in order to determine their effects on the concentration of triglycerides from the extracted oil. Using 3750 g of carbon dioxide over 5 h, a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (at 350 bar, 333 K and an SSR value of 125:1) yielded 43.51% oil. The concentration and extraction efficiency (i.e. recovery) of triglycerides in the extract reached 657.1 mg/g and 97.62%, respectively. Changes in pressure presented more effective in increasing the recovery of triglycerides, but both temperature and the SSR value are important in obtaining high concentration of triglycerides from the Jatropha seeds that are useful for biodiesel materials. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.