β-Alanine is the only naturally occurring β-type amino acid in nature, and it is also a non-protein amino acid. β-Alanine has important applications in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry, feed industry, and other fields, and its market prospect is very broad. At present, β-Alanine synthesis methods include chemical synthesis and biosynthesis. Compared with the complex production process of the chemical method, the biological method has the advantages of product specificity, mild conditions, and simple process. At present, it is recognized as a more environmentally friendly and promising β-alanine production method. This paper reviews the properties, applications, biological metabolic processes and main biological preparation methods of β-alanine, and focuses on the current situation and existing problems of biological production of β-alanine. It is expected to provide reference for the development of efficient and green production process and industrial application of β-alanine in the future.