Batch production of xylitol from the hydrolysate of wheat straw hemicellulose using Candida guilliermondii was carried out in a stirred tank reactor (agitation speed of 300 rpm, aeration rate of 0.6 vvm and initial cell concentration of 0.5 g l(-1)). After 54 h, xylitol production from 30.5 g xylose l(-1) reached 27.5 g l(-1), resulting in a xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion yield of 0.9 g g(-1) and a productivity of 0.5 g l(-1) h(-1).