Abstract: The gelatin-chitosan-rosemary extract composite coating film(gelatin-chitosan-rosemary,G-C-RE)was prepared by utilizing the rosemary extract combined with chitosan and gelatin. The preservative effects of G-C-RE on the refrigerated Litopenaeus vannamei were also investigated. The results showed that the total number of colonies,volatile base nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid of shrimp samples treated with the composite film were significantly lower than those of control(P<0.05). Compared with the gelatin-Chitosan film(G-C),the shrimp samples treated with G-C-RE composite film had the higher protein carbonyl content and lower protein oxidation(P<0.05). G-C-RE composite film treatment could inhibit the degree of blackening and maintain the sensory scores of the shrimp. G-C-RE composite film could provide an effective way to keep the seafood quality.