Abstract:The researches on biological demulsifying bacteria have aroused widespread interests in oil exploitation and refining industry. However, the characteristics of demulsifying activities of biological demulsifying bacteria were not revealed owing to its complexity of mycelial morphology, surface properties and surface substances. In this paper, the classification, biosynthesis and demulsification mechanism of biodemulsifiers were introduced, and then the research progresses were reviewed focusing on the influence of mycelial morphology, surface properties and surface substances on the demulsifying activity. The research methods concerned in this field were specially focused. Based on the above analysis, the future research directions were proposed.