Biodegradation of quinoline by Streptomyces sp. N01 immobilized on bamboo carbon supported Fe3O4 nanoparticles

•Fe3O4 nanoparticles were loaded on bamboo-carbon (BC) to create Fe3O4/BC.•Immobilized cells on Fe3O4/BC showed enhanced degradation of quinoline.•Showing more tolerance to pH and temperature changes than BC immobilized cells.•Demonstrating an excellent reusability.

A novel immobilizing carrier, bamboo-carbon supported Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4/BC), was developed and used for immobilization of cells of a quinoline-degrading, Streptomyces sp. N01. The performance of Fe3O4/BC immobilized cells in the degradation of quinoline was evaluated and compared with bamboo-carbon immobilized cells and the free cells. Experiments were performed at various quinoline concentrations (100–400 mg/L), pH (5–10) and temperature (20–45 °C). The results show that Fe3O4/BC immobilized cells could tolerate a higher quinoline concentration and protect the bacteria much more effectively against changes in temperature and pH. Reusability results revealed that quinoline removal was maintained 85.3% in the ninth cycle. These results demonstrated that Fe3O4/BC possesses a good application potential as a carrier in cell immobilization.