Abstract: Melanin from testae of Xanthoceras sorbifolia was extracted and purified by alkaline extraction, acid hydrolysis and organic solvent wash. The effects of solvent concentration, temperature, time, and liquid/solid ratio on the extraction were studied. The melanin was characterized by diagnostic tests and spectroscopies of ultraviolet visible light (UV-Vis), infrared spectrum (IR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Results showed that the melanin was suitable to be extracted with 1 mol/L NaOH and liquid/solid ratio of 15 mL/g at 50℃ for 12 h, twice. Under these conditions, the yield of melanin crude extract was 14.42%, and the yield of the purified melanin was 5.23% through further acid hydrolysis and organic solvent washing. After the purification, the color value at 400 nm was enhanced by 21.0%. The physicochemical properties of the melanin showed a strong similarity to these of the synthetic DOPA melanin. They were insoluble in both water and common organic solvents and dissolved in 1 mol/L KOH, precipitated below pH3, bleached in NaClO and H₂O₂, and the qualitative reaction of polyphenols were positive. The melanin absorption spectrum represented the decreasing line in the ultraviolet and visible range of wavelengths. The infrared spectrum had a broad absorption peak around 3400 cm^-1 and a strong one at 1650~1620 cm^-1. The EPR spectrum was a single line devoid of hyperfine splitting.