Continuous production of D-beta-hydroxyisobutyric acid (D-HIBA) from methacrylic acid (MA) using Candida rugosa IFO 0750 was most efficient under ammonium-limited conditions, whereas D-HIBA was not detected under glucose-limited conditions. As high as 21.5 g D-HIBA/l with 55% molar conversion yield from MA was obtained at a dilution rate of 0.04 h(-1).