The inhibitory effect of organic carbon on CO2 fixation (CF) by the non-photosynthetic microbial community (NPMC) and its mechanism were studied. The results showed that different concentrations of glucose inhibited CF to some extent. However, when these microorganisms pre-cultured with glucose were re-cultured without organic carbon, their CF efficiency differed significantly from the control based on the glucose concentration in the pre-culture. ATP as bioenergy and NADH as reductant had no obvious inhibitory effect on CF: conversely, they improved CF efficiency to some extent, especially when both were present simultaneously. These results implied that not all organic materials inhibited CF by NPMC, and only those that acted as good carbon sources, such as glucose, inhibited CF. Moreover, some metabolites generated during the catabolism of glucose by heterotrophic metabolism of NPMC might inhibit CF, while other cumulated materials present in the cell interior, such as ATP and NADH, might improve CF. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.