Synthesis and swelling behavior of a new superabsorbent hydrogel based on natural salep grafted with polyacrylamide is described. The new superabsorbent hydrogel biopolymer was synthesized via radical crosslinking and graft copolymerization of acrylamide monomer onto salep, backbones. Regarding to the water absorption of hydrogel, the best synthesis condition is reported. FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to confirm the structure of the final product and a mechanism for superabsorbent hydrogel formation was also suggested. After preparing the desired hydrogels based on optimum condition, several factors affecting the swelling behavior of hydrogel including pH of medium, sensitivity to the salt solution, and mixture of solvents were studied. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 2625-2633, 2009