A novel immobilized hybrid biosorbent (IHB) was developed by combining two known biosorbents (Phanerochaete chrysosporium hyphal biomass (B1) and fibrous network of papaya wood (B2)) using a newly developed simple technique of immobilization. The IHB was evaluated for its ability to remove Ni(II) from aqueous solution. The IHB removed Ni(II) very efficiently with the maximum uptake capacity of 101.34 mg g(-1) immobilized fungal biomass. This was 104.56% and 57.16% higher as compared to the ability of fungal biomass (B1) when used alone, and the sum of separate individual abilities of biosorbents B1 and B2, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used for mathematical description of the biosorption equilibrium data; both models were found to exhibit good fits to the experimental data. IHB system was regenerated by washing with a solution of 50 mM HCl. The percentage desorption achieved was as high as 99.4. The IHB was reused over seven biosorption-desorption cycles, without significant loss of its initial biosorption capacity. The study suggests that this novel IHB could lead to the development of a viable and cost-effective technology for metal removal from industrial wastewaters containing heavy metals. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.