BACKGROUND: Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, refers to environmentally friendly chemicals and processes that result in reduced waste, elimination of costly end-of-the-pipe treatments; safer products, and reduced use of energy and resources. In this context this study aims to evaluate a novel green sensitizer support for photochemistry use. For this propose, Rose Bengal (RB) and juglone production were chosen as a model sensitizer and a model photoreaction, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that the RB-alginate beads prepared using a solution of 20% CaCl2 had better stability in the solvent t-amyl alcohol. Comparing all the immobilized systems a larger reaction yield (57.5%) was obtained when the proportion of the beads in the photoreactor flask was 5% (v/v). Although when using suspended RB the reaction yield was better (62%) the environmental friendly attributes and economical advantages of immobilized systems overcome it. CONCLUSIONS: The potentiality of this new kind of sensitizer immobilization was demonstrated and a mechanism based on immobilization of cells was proposed. Furthermore the use of this novel green support presents a greater efficiency and potentially lower costs than the commercial supported RB Sensitox. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry