Removal of phthalate esters (PAEs) by alpha-cyclodextrin (CD)-linked chitosan bead in aqueous solution was studied. Results of kinetic experiments indicated that diheptyl phthalate (DHpP) was adsorbed most efficiently (3.21 mg/g) among the six PAEs. DHpP recovery was 94.6% from alpha-D-linked chitosan bead by shaking both with a mixture of methanol and water (v/v = 8/2). The recovered alpha-CD chitosan bead was reusable as an adsorbent 20 times in the batch tests. The adsorbed PAE by alpha-CD-linked chitosan bead decreased as temperature increased. However, coexisting pH, NaCl, and Ca2+ did not affect adsorption efficiency. It was concluded that the application of low cost alpha-CD-linked chitosan bead could have the potential to effectively remove PAEs from different aquatic environments. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.