For the preparation of polymer particles by free radical, stabilizers are usually present in the reaction mixture to maintain the separation of particles from each other. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is one the hydrophilic polymers that has been extensively used as the stabilizer in the polymerization system employing a polar solvent or solvent mixture as the continuous phase. As shown in the present study, the presence of PVP in the later steps could significantly influence the hydrophobic property of partially porous poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) particles, prepared by the method of multistep swelling and polymerization involving the use of polymeric porogens. The association of PVP molecules on the particle surface reduced the hydrophobicity and consequently the capability of particles for biological applications. For the reversed-phase liquid chromatography of penicillin G and its enzymatic hydrolysis product, particles prepared without PVP led to an enhancement in both retention and resolution, compared with particles resulting from the use of PVP. Results from lipase immobilization on these particles also showed that the presence of PVP could shield the hydrophobic groups on the particle surface and then reduce the efficiency of enzyme immobilization. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.