Xylitol production from lignocellulosic pentosans using Kluyveromyces marxianus: kinetic modelling of yeast growth and fermentation

ABSTRACTKinetics of xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate by Kluyveromyces marxianus IIPE453t was modelled. Yeast growth and xylitol production were represented with logistic and Michaelis–Menten equations. Batch fermentation produced xylitol with varying yields at different xylose concentrations. The maximum xylitol titre of 25.6 g L−1 was obtained with a volumetric productivity of 0.24 g L−1 h−1. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that xylose bioconversion linked to XRKS activity was the principal factor governing xylitol production kinetics.