Enzyme-aided alkaline extraction of oligosaccharides and polymeric xylan from hardwood kraft pulp

► Combination of enzyme and alkaline treatments were used to fractionate kraft pulp. ► High yield and high MW xylan were obtained by sequential alkaline extraction. ► Xylanase treatment was used to isolate xylo-oligosaccharides. ► Reduction of cellulose DP by endoglucanase was enhanced by xylan removal.