The solvent was 18 mM NaOHobtained from G. corneum after sodium thiosulfate extraction at
140 C. The red algae bleached pulp consisted of 64% cellulose,
27% galactose, 6% xylose, and 3% of other materials such as inorganic
ash. In comparison, bleached wood pulp consists of mostly
cellulose, small amounts of hemicellulose (mannan for softwood
and xylan for hardwood), and traces of lignin. The red algae extract
consisted of galactose almost exclusively. There is no lignin in the
red algae pulp and in the extracts of red algae.