Abstract: Castaneamollissima (Chestnut) shells belong to food processing wastes which are rich source, low cost and can be used to extract brown pigment.Recently, chestnut shells brown pigment has been gained widely study and application as a kind of health-caring natural stable pigment.This article reviewed the extraction methods of brown pigment from chestnut shells, including solvent extraction method, ultrasonic extraction method, microwave extraction method, supercritical fluid extraction method, enzymatic extraction method, etc.The applications were also summarized in food and textiles. In addition, the current problems and prospects of chestnut pigment were put forward.