Separation of polymeric galactoglucomannans from hot-water extract of spruce wood

► We separated and purified high-Mw GGMs from a hot-water extract of spruce wood. ► Two separation techniques were evaluated and compared. ► Precipitation in ethanol separates exclusively pure polymeric hemicelluloses. ► Membrane filtration separates fractions rich in poly-, oligo- and monosaccharides. ► An economical purification solution might be achieved by combining both techniques.