Metabolomics is an emerging subject following genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, in which microbial metabolomics is one important branch. From microbial product exploitation to metabolic engineering application, microbial metabolomics has become the focus of research. General research process of the microbial metabolomics was reviewed in this article, including test design, sample collection, data acquisition, data processing and biological interpretation. Besides, this article also introduced the application prospect in development of feed additives and microbial fermentation feed for animals.［Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition，2011，23（4）：563 -570］