L-Lactate was produced from xylose using electrodialysis culture (ED-C)-associated product separation. In a medium containing 50g xylose/l, the ED-C was completed in only 32h (i.e. less than half the time taken by the control culture, without electrodialysis). At 80g xylose/l, the control culture was unable to consume more than 50g xylose/l, whereas the ED-C showed increased xylose consumption and was completed by 45h. The maximum rate of lactate production in the ED-C was higher than that in the control culture. ED-C was also carried out (at 80g initial xylose/l) with a supply of fresh xylose-free medium. This ED-C was completed within 30h, which represents a reduction in fermentation time of 15h when compared to ED-C without addition of xylose-free medium. Thus, rapid production of L-lactate was achieved by using ED-C which supplied fresh xylose-free medium.