Use of response surface methodology to evaluate the optimum environmental conditions for the bioconversion of xylose into xylitol in eucalyptus hemicellulosic hydrolysate

Candida guilliermondii fermented a eucalyptus hemicellulosic hydrolysate that had been treated with calcium oxide, phosphoric acid and activated charcoal. The influences of different xylose and ammonium sulfate concentrations on the production of xylitol were studied. A response surface was obtained with value R2 > 0.97 and p < 0.01. The model estimated a maximum xylitol production of 20.82 g dm−3 in the culture medium supplemented with ammonium sulfate (1.8 g dm−3) and xylose (45.5 g dm−3).