Integrated fermentation-separation processes using a polymeric adsorbent were investigated to increase the productivity of red pigment. Resin HP-20 was chosen for polymeric adsorbent, taking into consideration the adsorption capacity and the desorption ability. The maximal production of total pigment was obtained when the HP-20 resin was added after 10 h. As the amount of resin was increased from 5 to 20% (v/v), cell growth gradually decreased. The maximal production of pigment was obtained when 10% (v/v) HP-20 was added and the concentration of pigment contained in the resin was 5.92 g/l. The extractive fermentation was carried out in bioreactors equipped with extractive columns packed with 5, 10 and 20% (v/v) HP-20. Cell growth decreased inversely in proportion to the concentration of HP-20 packed into the extractive column. The maximal production of pigment (6.92 g/l) was obtained with 10% (v/v) HP-20. The bioreactor equipped with an extractive column packed with HP-20 adsorbent resin showed higher productivity than the conventional batch bioreactor. A 31% increment of pigment production was obtained in extractive fermentation, compared with the simple batch culture. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.