Abstract: The physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Auricularia auricula (A. auricula) melanin were studied. The result showed that A. auricula melanin powder was dark with a little red and yellow colored (L*=41.03, a*=2.26, b*=3.78) . The solubility properties of A. auricula melanin were very similar to those of the typical melanin. A. auricula melanin possessed a stronger thermal stability and pigment retention rate was 88.0% after heating at 100℃ for 4h. Whereas, A. auricula melanin was sensitive to light and pigment retention rate was only 25.3% when irradiation for 5d by natural light. A. auricula melanin exhibited a strong antioxidant activity. At concentration of 1.0mg/mL, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity of A. auricula melanin were greater than 40%. Thus, A. auricula melanin could be further used as a natural healthful food colorant.