BACKGROUND: The effects of byproducts of lignocellulosic hydrolyzates, such as furfural, 5-hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para-hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde, on the growth and lipid accumulation by Lipomyces starkeyi were investigated. All the studies were conducted using aminimal medium. RESULTS: The growth and lipid accumulation patterns on individual sugars (glucose and xylose) were similar, sequential utilizationwas observedwhen both the sugarswere present in the medium. The tolerance of Lipomyces starkeyi to the acid-hydrolysis byproducts, furfural, 5-hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para-hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde, was promising. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of 5-hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para-hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde were not significant at concentrations up to 500mgL(-1); for furfural the threshold was 400mgL(-1). The fatty acid profiles of lipids were not affected by the presence of inhibitors in themedium. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry