Granular and powdered adsorbents can be used for chromatography, batch extractions and decolorizations. By optimizing particle size, surface area, pH, and purity a particularly useful material can be created for the selective separation of small molecules, peptides, lipids, alkaloids, and a variety of other compounds via chromatography. Batch extractions involve mixing the adsorbent with a liquid mixture containing the desired compound. The adsorbent selectively adsorbs the desired compound, allowing it to be separated from the mixture. This process is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to isolate and purify drugs and other active compounds. Decolorization involves the removal of unwanted color from a solution or mixture. Adsorbents such as activated carbon or silica gel can be used to selectively adsorb the colored compounds, leaving behind a clear and colorless solution.