Abstract: A novel method of preparing chitin by reverse micelles and citric acid was studied.Chitin was made by means of citric acid and ultrasonic assisted extraction technology to remove inorganic salt and reverse micelles extraction technology to remove protein in the shrimp shell, and 30% hydrogen peroxide for bleaching.Based on the single factor experiment result, through the response surface design, the optimum conditions of extracting chitin by citric acid-reverse micelles method was studied. The results showed that the optimal conditions by citric acid-reverse micelle method were raw material content of 0.62 g, concentration of KCl 0.15 mol/L, extraction time of 116.25 min, and the rate of extraction was 47.32%.The yield of chitin was significantly lower than that of the traditional acid base method, but it was significantly higher than that of the enzyme method.The method is feasible, and it can provide theoretical basis for the improvement of the production process of chitin.