Simultaneous acetic acid separation and monosaccharide concentration by reverse osmosis

► Simultaneous acetic acid separation and sugar concentration by RO was examined. ► Promoting effect of acetic acid at low concentration was considered. ► Extremely high separation factors of acetic acid over sugars by RO were obtained. ► Concentration process significantly increased the concentration of monosaccharides. ► Diafiltration decreased acetic acid concentration to a low and beneficial extent.