The present study is aimed at understanding the role of bacterial biomass in functionalizing polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated bacterial biosorbent fiber (PBBF). To make PBBF, chitosan/biomass composite fiber was coated with PEI and then cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The role of biomass in the fiber was investigated through sorption experiments and SEM, FTIR and XPS analyses with differently prepared fiber sorbents. In the case that the chitosan fiber was made without the biomass, it could not be coated with PEI. Meanwhile, the chitosan/biomass composite fiber could successfully coated with PEI and primary amine groups were significantly increased on the surface of the fiber. Therefore, the biomass should be essential to make PEI-reinforced chitosan fiber. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.