The invention relates to a process for the production of crystalline
xylose, from sugar cane bagasse, which xylose consists of microcrystals
having a well-defined morphology and a narrow granulometric range, a
further object of the invention being the protection of the product,
crystalline xylose, manufactured according to the technological route
which is detailed in the text of the patent. Additionally, the invention
also relates to a process for obtaining crystalline xylitol with
particularly adequate physical and functional characteristics, from the
xylose produced according to the process idea conceived by the Applicant,
as well as to the product proper, crystalline xylitol, generated in
accordance with a particular sequence of unit operations. The process in
question comprises an initial step for the formation of the xylose by
means of an acid hydrolysis of the bagasse; a second step in which there
is achieved the purification of the xylose solution thus formed; a third
step in which there is accomplished the crystallization of the xylose by
a controlled cooling of this said aqueous solution, thereby producing
crystals with a xylose content higher than 99.0% by weight, on a dry
solids basis; a fourth step which consists in the hydrogenation of the
xylose and its consequent conversion to xylitol; a fifth step for the
treatment and evaporation of the xylitol solution; and a last step for
the crystallization of the xylitol, which is also carried out by a
controlled cooling, thereby leading to the manufacture of crystals with a
xylitol content which is never lower than 99.5% by weight, on a dry
solids basis. The crystalline xylose and the crystalline xylitol produced
according to the invention have remarkable degrees of purity, as pointed
out, and exhibit, besides an excellent fluidity, a hygroscopicity and a
dissolution time which confer on them an optimum performance when
utilized in their industrial applications.