Sequential incubation of Candida shehatae and ethanol-tolerant yeast cells for efficient ethanol production from a mixture of glucose, xylose and cellobiose

► Sequential incubation of two kinds of non-recombinant yeasts for ethanol production. ► A mixture of glucose, xylose and cellobiose was used as a substrate. ► Candida shehatae initially converted the monosaccharides to 3.3-3.4% (w/v) ethanol. ► The subsequent cellobiose fermentation raised the concentration above 5% (w/v).