{Objective To investigate the kinetics of quinoline biodegradation by Burkholderia pickttii, a Gram negative rod-shaped aerobe, isolated in our laboratory. Methods HPLC (Hewlett-Packard model 5050 with an UV detector) was used for the analysis of quinoline concentration. GC/MS method was used to identify the intermediate metabolites of quinotine degradation. Results The biodegradation of quinoline was inhibited by quinoline at a high concentration, and the degradation process could be described by the Haldane model. The kinetic parameters based on Haldane substrate inhibition were evaluated. The values were nu(max)= 0.44 h(-1)