Abstract: In order to improve the economy value of prickly ash seed and fully use of its by- products, the melanin was extracted from prickly ash seed by solvents.Effects of different factors, such as extraction solvent, extraction solvent concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time, ratio of solid to liquid and extraction times on melanin yield of prickly ash seed were studied by single factor test. Absorbance was selected as a substitute of melanin content.Based on single factor test, response surface analysis methodology was used to determine the optimal extraction conditions of melanin.Response surface analysis indicated that:optimal extraction conditions were 66℃, 4.5h, 1∶33 ( g /mL) . The absorbance value of the melanin obtained was 0.305. The order of three factors affecting melanin yield from prickly ash seed was:temperature > ratio of solid to liquor > time.