Eucalyptus hemicellulosic hydrolysate used for xylitol production by Candida guilliermondii FTI20037 was previously treated either with ion-exchange resins or with activated charcoal adsorption combined with pH adjustment, in order that acetic acid, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural could be removed. The best results for xylitol yield factor (0.76 g/g) and volumetric productivity (0.68 g/(l h) were attained when a three-fold concentrated hydrolysate was treated with ion-exchange resins. Using activated charcoal combined with pH adjustment for treating a three-fold concentrated hydrolysate resulted in a xylitol yield factor of 0.40 g/g and a volumetric productivity of 0.30 g/(l h). This same treatment applied to a six-fold concentrated hydrolysate resulted in a xylitol yield factor of 0.66 g/g and a volumetric productivity of 0.50 g/(l h). (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.