A multiscale approach for simulations of high Schmidt number mass transfer from bubbles into liquids is validated by detailed comparisons with experimental results. The approach is based on an embedded analytical description of the mass boundary layer next to the bubbles surface, coupled with a finite volume method for the rest of the domain. Two classes of bubbles are examined: Taylor bubbles in a pipe and freely rising bubbles. For the first class an axisymmetric domain is used, while for the latter a fully three-dimensional domain is used to capture the unsteady manner of a rising bubble. We also perform calculations of non-deformable freely rising bubbles for which we compare the computational results with analytical and semi-empirical correlations as well as experimental results from other authors. Mass transfer computations using the embedded analytical description approach show good agreement with the experimental results and the correlations. Based on the ratio of the thickness of the mass boundary layer to the grid size used to resolve the fluid now we estimate that the use of the presented approach reduces the computational cost at least by one or two orders of magnitude, specially when applied in simulations of fully three-dimensional flows. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.