Abstract: In this paper,the Roselle calyx red pigment was extracted and purified by paper chromatography. The results showed that the Roselle calyx pigment was a kind of anthocyanin. The pigment would appear in purplish red, light red and light orange colour spots when the pigment was analysed by paper chromatography. Purplish red colour spots were the major pigment when the Rf was 0.203. The optimum developer was CH3(CH2)3OH:HAC:H2O=4:1:1 and the optimum eluent was 0.1% HCl. The extraction rate of the purplish red pigment was 0.704%, accounted for 46.93 per cent of the total pigment content.

Key words: roselle calyx red pigment, paper chromatography, separation and purification