The effect of different composite films (citric acid, EDTA-Na₂ and alginate) on preservation of fresh lotus was studied. Soluble solids content (SSC), net photosynthetic rate, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities of fresh lotus seeds and color variation of fresh lotus shell were investigated at the storage temperature of 4 ℃. Preservative formula with better preservation effect was selected through orthogonal design. The results showed that the best formula of the composite film was composed of 0.3% of citric acid, 0.015% of EDTA-Na₂ and 2.5% of alginate, which improved the quality of fresh lotus significantly. The composite film had extremely significant effects on SSC, L^*, a^* and b^* value, PPO activities and sensory quality of fresh lotus (P＜0.01), and inhibited the net photosynthetic rate of fresh lotus significantly (P＜0.01), but no significant effect on the W and peroxidase (POD) of fresh lotus (P> 0.05). These results indicated that the best sodium alginate-based composite film can maintain the storage quality at the maximum extent, and prolong the shelf life of fresh lotus seed.