A novel procedure for the direct separation and purification of prodigiosin based on adsorption chromatography is provided. A surfactant (Tween 80; 0.1%, w/v) was used to improve prodigiosin release from the cell envelope. An adsorbent (X-5 resin) with high loading capacity (7.3 mg/g) was selected for the direct recovery of prodigiosin from culture broth by static adsorption or in situ separation. This technology not only simplified the separation process, but also made the recovery yield (83%) much higher when compared with the conventional method (50%). As a result, it will be particularly suited for large-scale separation and purification of prodigiosin.