This work aimed to investigate the non-covalent interaction between lotus root polysaccharide (LRP) and ferulic acid (FA)， as well as the physicochemical and functional properties of LRP-FA complex. Based on single factor experiment and response surface experiment using the FA binding amount as evaluation index， the preparation conditions of LRP-FA complex were optimized. The results showed that， after 30 min low-speed mixing at temperature 0 ℃ and pH 7 with the FA-LRP mass ratio of 1∶2， the binding amount of FA to LRP was 110.22 mg/g. The interaction increased the average molecular weight of LRP from 191.8 ku to 297.4 ku. According to the effect of experimental factors on the FA binding amount and the spectral analysis of LRP-FA complex， it was found that the non-covalent interaction between LRP and FA mainly depended on hydrogen bonding. Low temperature was beneficial to maintain the stability of LRP-FA complex， and its FA dissociation rate was lower than 25% by the simulated digestion of mouth， stomach and small intestine. Tthe complex had a better DPPH free radical scavenging activity compared with LRP (P<0.05)， however， their stimulating abilities on the NO production of macrophages showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The results provide ideas for improving the functional activity of LRP and the bioavailability of FA.