Patent ID: 8568533

Claim:
A method of increasing the level of C 6 monosaccharides and C 6 oligosaccharides produced from lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: providing lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: a first solid fraction comprising: cellulose; and lignin; and a first liquid fraction; optionally, separating said first solid fraction and said first liquid fraction; mixing said first solid fraction with water to form a slurry; pre-heating said slurry to a temperature of about 210° C. to about 240° C. at a pressure of about 225 bar to about 250 bar; contacting said slurry with a second reaction fluid to form a second reaction mixture comprising: a second solid fraction comprising: lignin; and a second liquid fraction comprising: a soluble C 6 saccharide selected from the group consisting of C 6 monosaccharides, C 6 oligosaccharides, and mixtures thereof; wherein said second reaction fluid comprises hot compressed water and, optionally, carbon dioxide; wherein said second reaction fluid is at a temperature of at least about 373° C. under a pressure sufficient to maintain said second reaction fluid in supercritical form; and reducing the temperature of said second reaction mixture to a temperature less than about 140° C.; and optionally, hydrolyzing said second liquid fraction to form a composition comprising at least one C 6 saccharide selected from the group consisting of C 6 oligosaccharide having lower mer units, glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, and mixtures thereof.