Xylose conversion into xylitol by Candida guilliermondi FTI 20037 was
investigated in a stirred tank bioreactor at different stirring rates.
Maximal xylitol production (22.2 g litre(-1)) was obtained at 30 degr
ees C, with an aeration rate of 0.46 vvm using a stirring rate of 300
min(-1) (K(L)a=10.6 h(-1)). An increase in K(L)a produced an increase
in the consumption of xylose in detriment to xylitol formation. The ef
ficiency of substrate conversion to xylitol was 45% in a medium contai
ning glucose and xylose but increased to 66% when glucose was omitted.