The research status of microbial desulfurization and degradation of coal was summarized. The treatment of coal with aerobic microorganisms can reduce the sulfur content (pyrite), destroy the active groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl in coal, consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide gas. The idea of using biotechnology to delay the coal oxidation process and blocking coal oxidation path so as to inhibit the spontaneous combustion of coal was put forward. This is based on the use of the characteristics of microorganisms to change the environmental state and microstructure of the coal surface to prevent and control spontaneous combustion of coal from the coal oxidation reaction itself. In view of the effect of aerobic microbial modification and domestication on the sulfur content and active groups of coal, the commonly used microorganisms for coal desulfurization and degradation (such asAcidthiobacillus ferrooxidans, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, etc.) were analyzed, and the growth characteristics and differences of microorganisms that could be used to inhibit coal spontaneous combustion were summarized. Finally, the idea that the spontaneous combustion of coal could be inhibited by the step-by-step synergy of various functional microorganisms was proposed, and a new prospect for the development of new green inhibitors of coal spontaneous combustion was made.