Process for the production of xylose by hydrolysis of hemicellulose by immobilized enzymes

A process for the production of xylose by the hydrolysis of a hemicellulose substrate containing xylo-oligomers with an immobilized enzyme having hemicellulolytic activity comprising the steps of:

• a) adjusting the pH of an aqueous solution containing hemicellulose oligosaccharide to a value within a range of about 3.5 to 5.0;
• b) contacting the solution with an immobilized enzyme composition having hemicellulolytic activity and containing an effective amount of .beta.-xylosidase to produce xylose, wherein said enzyme composition is produced by a microorganism of the genus Trichoderma and wherein said enzyme composition is immobilized on a regenerable weak cation exchange carrier without the addition of fixing additives;
• and
• c) recovering xylose from the solution.