XYLITOL PRODUCTION BY CANDIDA-GUILLIERMONDII AS AN APPROACH FOR THE UTILIZATION OF AGROINDUSTRIAL RESIDUES

Different substrates based on hydrolyzed hemicellulosic fractions of a groindustrial residues were used for xylitol production by Candida gui lliermondii FTI 20037 under semi-aerobic conditions. Batch fermentatio n performances were characterized and compared with those attained in a synthetic medium using D-xylose as a major carbon source. For all me dia tested, simultaneous utilization of hemicellulosic sugars (glucose and xylose) was observed and the highest substrate uptake rate was at tained in sugar cane bagasse medium. Increased xylitol concentrations (40 g/litre) were achieved in synthetic and rice straw-media, although the highest xylitol production rate was obtained in sugar cane bagass e hydrolysate. These results show that both hydrolysates can be conver ted into xylitol with satisfactory yields and productivities.