<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The present study demonstrates utilization of secondary agricultural wastes for xylitol production. The highest xylan-to-xylose (70%) conversion was achieved using dilute nitric acid as catalyst followed by resin treatment. Results show that resin treatment efficiently removed nitrate salt (70%), phenolic content and 5-HMF (70%). Highest xylitol yield (85%) was achieved during fermentation using <I>Candida tropicalis</I> MTCC 6192 from the neutralized hemicellulosic hydrolysate medium. Good recovery (>15%) was achieved from corncob with 85% xylose to xylitol conversion during fermentation. This two-step process for transformation of agri-waste to xylitol is much simpler and it could possibly be considered for up scaling after process optimization parameters.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Utilization of secondary agricultural wastes for xylitol production after nitric acid hydrolysis followed by resin treatments. </LI> <LI> Efficient and effective process for detoxification of corn cob acid hydrolyzed. </LI> <LI> The xylitol production was improved by the detoxified corn cob acid hydrolyzed. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>