Highly efficient production of l-lactic acid from xylose by newly isolated Bacillus coagulans C106

► Conversion of xylose to l-lactic acid by a new isolate. ► Fermentation at 50 °C without medium sterilization. ► Lactic acid productivity (7.5 g/L h) reached the highest ever reported. ► Lactic acid titer reached as high as 215.7 g/L. ► Neutralization with Ca(OH)2 improved lactic acid production.