Calcium alginate microbeads (212-425 mum) were prepared by spraying 2% (w/v) alginate solution into 1 M CaCl2 solution. The fluidization behavior of these beads was studied, and the bed expansion index and terminal velocity were found to be 4.3 and 1808 cm h(-1), respectively. Residence time distribution curves showed that the dispersion of the protein was much less with these microbeads than with conventionally prepared calcium alginate macrobeads when both kinds of beads were used for chromatography in a fluidized bed format. The fluidized bed of these beads was used for the purification of pectinase from a commercial preparation. The media performed well even with diluted feedstock; 90% activity recovery with 211-fold purification was observed.