Carotenoid production by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (formerly Phaffia rhodozyma) when growing on xylose depended on the initial substrate concentration. Astaxanthin was the main carotenoid, others were echinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone and canthaxanthin. Xylitol (an intermediate of xylose metabolism, with application as sweetener) accumulates in the fermentation media. Xylitol concentrations up to 22 g/l were obtained in experiments carried out with an initial xylose concentration of 42 g/l. Xylitol was assimilated after xylose depletion.