Evaluation of corncob hemicellulosic hydrolysate for xylitol production by adapted strain of Candida tropicalis

► 21.98 g/L of xylose obtained with optimized conditions as 1:8 (w/v), 1% H2SO4 and 30 min ► Adapted strain of C. tropicalis results 1.22-fold increase in yield and 1.70-fold enhanced productivity. ► Hydrolysate concentrated under vacuum using rotavapor is an efficient process. ► Immobilized cells of C. tropicalis resulted in 70% (approx.) efficiency up to third cycle. ► Xylitol production could be scaled up to 10 L fermentor.