A strain of Acinetobacter sp. 51-2 was capable of degrading acetonitrile and utilizing various nitrile compounds, such as propionitrile, butyronitrile, acrylonitrile and so on. The ability and speed of degrading acetonitrile were quite strong and fast. Strain 51-2 could degrade 25 g/L acetonitrile in 48 h by adapted cells. The efficiency of degrading acetonitrile was closely related to the conditions of culturing bacterial cells. The reaction temperature and present metals appeared to have a little effect on degradation of acetonitrile.