In this study, biodegradation rate of Arabian light crude oil by mixed cultures of selected petroleum-degraders was determined. Their modes of hydrocarbon uptake were then observed to determine whether there are differences in biodegradation rate by the mixed cultures. By the mixed cultures of petroleum-degraders having same modes of hydrocarbon uptake, such as strain US1 and K1 (using pseudo-solubilized hydrocarbons by a biosurfactants), K2-2 and P1(using hydrocarbons by direct contact), CL 180 and IC-10 (mixed type of uptake modes), the biodegradation rates of aliphatics in the crude oil were increased more than those by their pure cultures, about 40%, 25% and 20%, respectively. Biodegradation rate of strain KH3-2 (using only water- dissolved hydrocarbons) was increased by mixed cultures with strain K1, CL180 or IC-10 possessing high emulsifying activity. However, the biodegradation rate of the crude oil was decreased about 20%-40% by the mixed cultures of petroleum-degraders having different mode of hydrocarbon uptake, such as addition of strain US1 or K1 in the cultures of K2-2 or P1. Biosurfactants produced by US1 or K1 seems to enhance the emulsification of crude oil in aqueous phase but inhibit the attachment of K2-2 or P1 to crude oil. As same phenomena, the addition to Triton X-100 into the culture of strain US1, K1, CL180, IC-10 or KH3-2 increased the biodegradation rate, but the addition in the culture of strain K2-2 or P1 decreased the biodegradation rate. The mixed culture made of CL180, IC-10 and KH3-2 degraded 61.5% of aliphatics and 69% of aromatics in 3% (v/v) of Arabian light crude oil added.