Abstract:
A method of separating hemicellulose and cellulose by dissolution of hemicellulose from a hemicellulose-rich source, such as a pulp of any origin or from holocellulose. In the method, hemicellulose is dissolved in a solvent system comprising a cellulose solvent, which is either a ionic liquid or another direct cellulose solvent, and a molecular solvent (co-solvent), wherein said co-solvent does not dissolve cellulose, and wherein the solvent basicity and acidity of said ionic liquid or other direct cellulose solvent are adequately adjusted by the co-solvent. The present invention enables quantitative separation of cellulose and hemicellulose without any depolymerization and yield losses as occurring during conventional dissolving pulp manufacturing processes.