Abstract: The invention relates to a process of recovering galactose from a solution derived from plant-based biomass. In the process of the invention, the starting solution is subjected to one or more chromatographic fractionation steps, which may carried out with a strongly basic anion exchange resin and optionally with a strongly acid cation exchange resin, in any desired sequence, followed by recovering at least one fraction enriched in galactose. The galactose fraction thus obtained is further purified by crystallization to obtain crystalline galactose. The invention also relates to non-animal derived crystalline D-galactose.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of deoxy sugars, such as fucose from biomass-derived solutions, such as spent liquors obtained from pulping processes. The invention is based on the use of chromatographic fractionation with specific column packing materials and combinations thereof. The deoxy sugar product obtained from the chromatographic fractionation may be further purified by crystallization. The invention also provides a novel crystalline fucose product and a novel process for the crystallization of fucose.