Abstract: A traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extract freeze-drying protective agent, a direct-to-vat starter and preparation methods thereof are disclosed, which belong to the technical field of feed starter. The compound traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extract freeze-drying protective agent includes Poria cocos polysaccharide extract, Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide extract, Radix codonopsis polysaccharide extract, L-tyrosine, ?-cyclodextrin and polyethyleneimine. Its application in the freeze-drying protection of direct-to-vat starter of aquatic fermentation feed can reduce the damage to the cells caused by freeze-drying, improve the survival rate of the cells in the starter after freeze-drying, effectively prolong the storage period of the starter, and ensure that the fermentation activity remains at a high level during storage.