Performance of the bio-electrochemical treatment and power generation in microbial fuel cell (MFC) were examined by utilizing carbohydrates and proteins containing dairy effluent successfully. The efficiency of power production in MFC with nanoparticles modified anode was investigated. Copper doped iron oxide nanoparticles (Cu-doped FeO) were synthesized using phyto-compounds of A.blitum plant and characterized analytically. The nanoparticles coated and uncoated electrodes were characterized for wettability and electrochemical analysis. The wettability results of Cu-doped FeO coated anode showed good hydrophilic property. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results revealed increased potential and decreased resistance for coated anode. The performance of MFC exhibited, enhanced peak power density of 161.5 mW/m(2) for coated anode. The Chemical Oxygen Demand removal efficiency of nanoparticles coated and uncoated electrodes were 75 and 64.2% respectively. The results have suggested that the inexpensive Cu-doped FeO nanoparticles can be an effective material for treating dairy effluent and promoting the energy production in MFC. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.