EFFECT OF INOCULUM LEVEL ON XYLITOL PRODUCTION FROM RICE STRAW HEMICELLULOSE HYDROLYSATE BY CANDIDA-GUILLIERMONDII

The effect of inoculum level on xylitol production by Candida guillier mondii was evaluated in a rice straw hemicellulose hydrolysate. High i nitial cell density did not show a positive effect in this bioconversi on since increasing the initial cell density from 0.67 g L(-1) to 2.41 g L(-1) decreased both the rate of xylose utilization and xylitol acc umulation, The maximum xylitol yield (0.71 g g(-1)) and volumetric pro ductivity (0.56 g L(-1) h(-1)) were reached with an inoculum level of 0.9 g L(-1). These results show that under appropriate inoculum condit ions rice straw hemicellulose hydrolysate can be converted into xylito l by the yeast C. guilliermondii with efficiency values as high as 77% of the theoretical maximum.