Effects of lignin-derived phenolic compounds on xylitol production and key enzyme activities by a xylose utilizing yeast Candida athensensis SB18

► Xylitol producer Candida athensensis SB18 was tested for phenolic compound inhibition. ► The inhibition follows phenol > syringaldehyde > 4-hydroxylbenzaldehyde > vanillin. ► Inhibition was insignificant when the total inhibitor content was below 1.0 g/L. ► The inhibitors affected more xylose reductase than xylitol dehydrogenase activity. ► The inhibitory effects strongly correlated to their in vivo assimilation.