The effect of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), sodium alkilbenzenesulphonate (ABSNa) and sulphosuccinates IOP5 and N5, present in different concentrations, on the kinetics of desulfurication conducted with the use of Desulfotomaculum ruminis bacteria was analysed. As follows from the determined activity of the microorganisms, the presence of SDS and ABSNa inhibits the process of desulfurication. The toxic concentrations of these compounds were established as 60 mg/dm(3) for SDS and 450 mg/dm(3) for ABSNa. The presence of sulphosuccinates IOP5 and N5, even at the concentration of 20g/dm(3), does not affect the activity of Desulfotomaculum ruminis bacteria but these compounds cannot be used as a source of carbon by the microorganisms.