Abstract: In order to overcome the present defects in technology, enhance the purity and quality of tea saponin, enlarge its application range, 5% aqueous solution of crude tea saponin is prepared and then is adsorbed by polystyrene resin under pH=4. 0.1%NaOH aqueous solution is used to remove the impurities and coloring matter which are adsorbed, and 80%(v/v) methanol solution as the eluant of the tae saponin. The produced tea saponin has the purity 95. 1%, Ross-Miles foam height 181mm, and haemolysis index 1∶75000. The resin used in this purification has strong selectivity, large adsorbance, easy of
desorption and adsorption, simple operation, low cost and short period of production. It is valuable for practical application.

Key words: tea saponin, purification, polymeric adsorbent