A particulate absorbent, for the absorption of liquids, comprising particles selected from the group consisting of particles of glass-like polysaccharides and of particles of glass-like polysaccharides occluding, in their internal structure, at least one surfactant, said particles: having a size of up to 620 &mgr;m; being at least 70% of a glass-like type structure; and being: 30 to 45% of a size comprised between 620 and 420 &mgr;m; 35 to 55% of a size comprised between 420 and 210 &mgr;m; and 5 to 25% of a size up to 210 &mgr;m. These particulate absorbent is non-hygroscopic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable and useful particularly in biodegradable diapers.