Abstract This study addressed the use of papaya seeds ( Vasconcellea pubescens ) as a source of bioactive compounds by using different types of assisted extractions such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE), ultrasound (UAE) and conventional (CE) extractions. The results showed that HHPE was more effective than UAE and CE in extracting bioactive compounds and had a shorter extraction time. A high correlation between the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content indicated that phenolic compounds could be the main source of antioxidant activity in this seed. Fatty acids were identified and quantified; oleic (n-9) and linoleic (n-6) acids were the major acids in papaya seeds. Thus, HHPE and UAE provided effective methods for bio-compound extraction from Chilean papaya seeds and could have potential benefits for the cosmetic, food or pharmaceutical industries.