Four different macroreticular resins (HZ-801, HPD500, HPD700 and DA201) were evaluated for the adsorption properties of the salidroside extracted from Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor. The results showed that DA-201 displayed the optimal adsorption and desorption properties. The static and dynamic adsorption capacities of DA-201 were 21.88 and 13.25 mg/ml, respectively. The purity of 13.8% for the partially purified salidroside product, which was higher than the purity of 10% for sales in the markets, was achieved by one-step separation and purification with 50% ethanol. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.