Organic extractives extracted from wood during

However, there are some methods for extraction of cellulose from plants. Han and Rowell s (1996) method describes a procedure for extraction of holocellulose, hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin [18]. The method consists of four principle steps (1) preparation of sample (grinding of the wood), (2) removal of extractives, (3) preparation of holocellulose (removal of lignin), (4) preparation of a-cellulose (removal of hemicellulose). Several other procedures for a-cellulose extraction from wood samples have already been described during the last decades. Older methods used benzene-methanol instead of toluene-ethanol as organic solvent for the second step. Toluene-ethanol works as well as benzene-methanol mixture, and reduces health risks associated with the use of benzene and methanol. 

The resin acids present in pulps, particularly those from softwood, have also been found to be significantly toxic to aquatic organisms. The amount in wood varies greatly between species (Table 10.4). Between 0.3 and 3.6 kg/tonne is extracted during pulping. 

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