A batch study was conducted to evaluate efficiencies of four types of biomaterials to remove oil from water. The oils used in the study were standard mineral oil, vegetable oil and cutting oil. Two fungal biomasses of Mucor rouxii and Absidia coerulea along with chitosan and walnut shell media were the biomaterials used. The study was carried out with an initial oil concentration of 200 mg/L for 6 h. Nonviable M. rouxii biomass was found to be more effective than A. coerulea biomass in removing oil from water. The study demonstrated that the removal efficiencies by M. rouxii for these oils were in the 77-93% range at a pH of 5.0. The adsorption capacities for standard mineral oil, vegetable oil and cutting oil were 77.2, 92.5, and 84 mg/g of biomass, respectively. The adsorption capacities for various oils exhibited by M. rouxii biomass were less than those of chitosan and walnut shell media. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.