Production of xylitol by Candida peltata

The ability of Candida peltata NRRL Y-6888 to ferment xylose to xylitol was evaluated under different fermentation conditions such as pH, temperature, aeration, substrate concentration and in the presence of glucose, arabinos e, ethanol, methanol and organic acids. Maximum xylitol yield of 0.56 g g(- 1) xylose was obtained when the yeast was cultivated at pH 6.0, 28 degrees C and 200 rpm on 50 g L-1 xylose, The yeast produced ethanol (0.41 g g(-1) in 40 h) from glucose (50 g L-1) and arabitol (0.55 g g(-1) in 87 h) from a rabinose (50 g L-1). It preferentially utilized glucose > xylose > arabinos e from mixed substrates, Glucose (10 g L-1), ethanol (7.5 g L-1 ) and aceta te (5 g L-1) inhibited xylitol production by 61, 84 and 68%, respectively. Arabinose (10 g L-1) had no inhibitory effect on xylitol production.