In this study, we analyzed the kinetics of bioconversion of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by permeabilized Lactobacillus acidophilus cells. The effects of cell mass, linoleic acid (LA) concentration, reaction pH and temperature on the bioconversion of CLA by permeabilized cells were investigated and the model system of bioconversion of CLA was established. The results showed that the production of CLA was increased by permeabilized cells. The optimal cell mass, pH and temperature of bioconversion of CLA were 10×1010 ufc/mL, 4.5 and 45°C, respectively. A marked LA inhibition phenomenon existed, and the early reaction rate of producing CLA reached the maximum (17.8 μg/mL?min) when LA concentration was 0.6 mg/mL. Michaelis constant was obtained by double-reciprocal plot and Hanes-Woolf plot. The reaction rate equation followed the classic Michaelis-Mentent equation at the low LA concentration, while there was a marked LA inhibition phenomenon at the high LA concentration. With the evaluated model parameters, the model system appeared to provide a description for the bioconversion of CLA by permeabilized Lactobacillus acidophilus cells.