Abstract A browning model was proposed to investigate the physiological and biochemical changes of fresh-cut lotus root cv. “3537”. The effects of water (CK), 0.1% (w/v) NaHSO3, 0.2% citric acid (CA), 0.01% ascorbic acid (AA), 0.1% l -cysteine (Cys) and composite preservative (CP: 0.1% CA, 0.005% AA and 0.05% Cys) on the quality and physiology of the lotus root during low-temperature storage were determined. CP treatment minimized browning degree L*, respiration rate and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anion (O2 −) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and maximized activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POD) and catalase. Linear regression analysis was performed by using browning degree L* as the dependent variable and the other nine indices as the independent variables. Browning degree was significantly negatively correlated with MDA and O2 − contents, but was significantly positively correlated with POD activity. The simplified regression model was L ˆ * = 65.784 − 11.062 x 3 − 0.101 x 5 + 0.003 x 6 (x3: MDA, x5: O2 −, x6: POD).