Alteration of xylose reductase coenzyme preference to improve ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae from high xylose concentrations

► The maximum xylose concentration of 220 g/L was tested to produce 77.6 g/L ethanol after 72 h. ► Mixture fermentation produced the highest ethanol of 89.0 g/L after 48 h. ► F106KR originated from commercial strain is one of top candidates for industrial application.