The adsorption behaviors of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange on a diaminoethane sporopollenin (DAE-S) solid phase were investigated in a column arrangement, and breakthrough profiles were used in evaluations and quantifications. The adsorption behaviors were evaluated using some common adsorption isotherm models and Scatchard plot analysis. The results showed that the DAE-S was useful for abstracting anionic dyes from cationic dyes. Thus, the usability of a biopolymer derived material (DAE-S) as a cheap, environmentally friendly and effective solid/stationary phase is discussed through the present study, and the adaptability of the DAE-S to common processes performed under column conditions is also drawn in detail. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.