Sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate, obtained by acid hydrolysis, was fermented by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 to produce xylitol. Assays were made in order to determine the best conditions to clarify the fermented broth using activated carbon. The clarified medium was treated with ion-exchange resins after which xylitol crystallization was attempted. The best clarifying treatment was found by adding 25 g activated carbon to 100 ml fermented broth at 80 degrees C, for 60 min with pH 6.0. The ion exchange resins were not efficient for the prevailing conditions. The crystallization technique showed good performance, although the crystals were involved in a viscous, colored solution.