BACKGROUND5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), the major by-product in hydrolyzates from lignocelluloses and algal biomass, is known as an inhibitor of several microorganisms as well as a promising precursor for biorefinery. In this study, the feasibility of 5-HMF sequestration was investigated using granular activated carbon (GAC) as the adsorbent. RESULTSEquilibria for the 5-HMF adsorption onto GAC were derived. Positive isosteric heat values showed the reaction was exothermic and favored at low temperature. The pseudo-second order dynamics and the estimated activation energy, 227.4 kJ mol(-1), implied that the removal mechanism would be chemical adsorption. The adsorption was not interfered with by the presence of sugar and sugar compounds were not adsorbed onto GAC. CONCLUSIONBatch and column tests on dilute acid hydrolyzate of red algal biomass showed that GAC adsorption would be a feasible option for sequestration of 5-HMF in hydrolyzate for the biofuel and biorefinery industries. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry