ABSTRACT:The aim of the present investigation was to extract the astaxanthin, a pharmaceutical valuable secondary carotenoid from the Haematococcus pluvialis with different solvents. Extraction of astaxanthin from the encysted cells of H. pluvialis was done with Acetone, DMSO, Hexane, Methanol and pretreating the cells of H. pluvialis with HCL at 70 °C followed by Acetone extraction.The HCL pretreatment was done only in Acetone. 55%, 18.4%, 17.5% and 10% of astaxanthin extractability was found with Acetone, DMSO, Hexane and Methanol respectively without the HCL pretreatment. However, HCL pretreatment followed by Acetone facilitated 90% extractability of astaxanthin. HPTLC analysis of astaxanthin extracted with Acetone and Methanol was compared with standard astaxanthin. Results clearly shows the presence of astaxanthin in Acetone extract. From our present investigation, it is apparent that pretreatment of H. pluvialis cells with HCL followed with Acetone facilitates the astaxanthin extraction. Astaxanthin from Haematococcus will expand not only the consumer space but also medical institution worldwide, therefore optimal extraction method of astaxanthin is important for human welfare.