This study describes the performance of four different resins, in sequence, to detoxify sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate and to improve xylitol production by calcium alginate-entrapped Candida guilliermondii FTI20037 cells under conditions of low oxygen concentration. The treatment resulted in a removal of 82.1% furfural, 66.5% hydroxymethylfurfural, 61.9% phenolic compounds derived from lignin degradation, 100% chromium, 46.1% zinc, 28.5% iron, 14.7% sodium and 3.5% nickel. On the other hand, the removal of acetic acid was not significant. A xylitol yield factor (Y-P/S) of 0.62 g g(-1) and a volumetric productivity (Q(p)) of 0.24 g dm(-3) h(-1) were attained in the fermentation process for xylitol production from detoxified hydrolysate. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.