The kinetics of the supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from sunflower using CO(2) as solvent were studied in order to establish an efficient method for this extraction. The influence of time of extraction at different solvent flow rates was investigated. The extraction pressure and temperature were optimized in previous studies and these values used were 400 bar and 50 degrees C. The extraction yields and the bioactivity levels of the extracts were also analysed. The results indicate that the most appropriate extraction time is between 120 and 180 min depending on the solvent flow and the pretreatment of the sample. The dried sample extracted at 40 g/min, the congealed sample extracted at the same flow and 180 min, and the dried sample extracted at 25 g/min for 120 min showed the best activity profiles. The extractions were carried out in a pilot plant with an extraction vessel with a capacity of 2 L.