A process for isolation and purification of xanthophylls crystals from plant oleoresin is disclosed. The organic solvents involved in the process is no other than food grade alcohol. The process includes saponifying the plant oleoresin containing xanthophyll diesters, neutralizing the saponified reaction mixture with an acid and washing water-soluble impurities and other fat-soluble oil with warm water and alcohol, respectively. The process can improve purity and yield of products, by which the content and the recovery of xanthophylls are as high as 90% and 80% respectively. And the process is economical and easy to perform in industrial production.