Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the VBNC state of Staphylococcus aureus and the resuscitation conditions.S.aureus was treated by different pH, salinity, temperature and different concentrations of preservative ( potassium sorbate) . The results showed that the strain was induced into the VBNC state under different concentrations of potassium sorbate and temperatures, and the minimum induction time was 76d at the condition of 0.5mmol /L potassium sorbate, - 20℃ and oligotrophy.The resuscitation of VBNC strain was success when being incubated in brain heart infusion ( BHI) medium at 37℃. Adding 0.5%, 1% Tween- 20 and Tween- 80 could help resuscitation.When the cells of S.aureus entered into the VBNC state, they all gradually changed from spherosome to irregular spherosome and decreased in size.The biochemical characteristics of the resuscitative cells were the same as the standard strain, except urease.