Microbial consortium DL38-BH could overcome some disadvantages of single strains, such as low crude glycerol tolerance and limited productivity, directly and efficiently converting crude glycerol to PDO.In this study, an imidazolium-based IL, [Emim][TfO], was used to investigate its effects on microbial growth and metabolism as well as the intracellular activity of key enzymes and microbial composition in the bioconversion of crude glycerol to PDO by microbial consortium DL38-BH. Since [Emim][TfO] have been used in the production of crude glycerol and the separation of PDO, it is necessary to study the effect of it on microbial conversion crude glycerol to PDO. So far, there are few researches and reports about the effects of ILs on industrial microbial consortium. This study will provide a new insight for the further application of ILs on industrial biocatalysis.