Xilitol merupakan pemanis alami yang bersifat antikariogenik dan memiliki indeks glikemik rendah. Xilitol dapat diproduksi dari xilosa, baik melalui proses kimiawi ataupun proses fermentasi. Xilitol dihasilkan melalui proses fermentasi xilosa oleh Candida fukuyamaensis UICC Y-247. Xilosa diperoleh dari hidrolisis hemiselulosa dalam limbah sorgum manis yang telah dihilangkan senyawa ekstraktif dan ligninnya. Hidrolisis dilakukan secara kimiawi dengan katalis asam sulfat 0,3 M. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan kosubstrat terhadap yield xilitol. Yield xilitol tertinggi diperoleh dari fermentasi malai jam ke-12 sebesar 188 ppm dengan konversi xilosa menjadi xilitol 20,29%. Penambahan kosubstrat L-arabinosa 150 ppm menaikkan yield xilitol hingga 347 ppm dengan konversi sebesar 37,37%. Penambahan kosubstrat D-glukosa 150 ppm menghasilkan xilitol 287 ppm dengan konversi 30,93%.

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Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has anti-cariogenic properties and has a low glycemic index. Xylitol can be produced from xylose, either through a chemical process or fermentation process. Xylitol was produced through a process of xylose fermentation by Candida fukuyamaensis UICC Y-247. Xylose derived from hemi-cellulose hydrolysate of sweet sorghum waste in which the lignin and extractive compounds had been removed. The hydrolysis was done chemically with sulfuric acid catalyst 0.3 M. This research was conducted to determine the effect of adding cosubstrate on xylitol yield. The highest xylitol yield obtained from the fermentation tassel at the hour 12 by 188 ppm with the conversion of xylose into xylitol 20.29%. The addition of L-arabinose cosubstrate 150 ppm increased xylitol yield up to 347 ppm by a conversion of 37.37%. The addition of D-glukosa cosubstrate 150 ppm produced xylitol 287 ppm by a conversion of 30,93%.