beta-Cyclodextrin microspheres (beta-CDMs) were prepared and then bonded to guar gum (GG). The structures of the precursor material and product were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Phenolphthalein and spectrophotometry were used to determine the content of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) in products. By changing environmental conditions and types of adsorbents, the adsorption capacities of polymers on basic fuchsine were studied. The results indicate that the absorption capacity was decreased accordingly when the pH value was reduced. The increase of temperature had no obvious influence on improving the absorption capacity from 40 to 60 degrees C. When the mass ratio of chloropropyl hydroxyl GG to beta-CDMs to sodium carbonate was 0.6 : 0.8 : 1.0, with the reaction time of 2 h, the best adsorption capacity of 24 mg/g was achieved; this was in accordance with the results of the measurement of the content of beta-CD in the products. The higher content of beta-CDM was beneficial for improving the absorption capacity. By comparing its properties with the absorption capacity of traditional flocculating agents polyacrylamide and polaluminum chloride, the best absorption results for GG bonded with beta-CDMs were obtained. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2250-2256, 2012