The nitrite scavenging capacity of extracts from Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum was evaluated in vitro by spectrophotometric method. On the basis of single factor tests, response surface analysis was designed by Design-Expert Software 8.06. The effects of extraction time, ethanol concentration, ratio of liquid to solid, and temperature on the nitrite elimination were investigated. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: with 71% ethanol as the extraction solvent and a ratio of liquid to solid of 69 ml/g, extraction at 81℃ for 90 min. The predicted of elimination of sodium nitrite was 69.50%, close to the practical elimination of sodium nitrite was 70.21%.