Four Candida utilis strains were screened for biomass, acetic acid and ethyl acetate production from ethanol as sole carbon source. After 72 h at 30 degrees C, analytical results obtained with 16 g l(-1) and 32 g l(-1) of initial ethanol concentration were compared. The strain L/375-1 was selected for its best yield of ethyl acetate from ethanol, while the strain L/375-5 was the best biomass producer. These two strains displayed ethanol consumption rates of 0.156 g l(-1) h(-1) and 0.179 g l(-1) h(-1) at 32 g l(-1) initial ethanol concentration, respectively. Slight differences were observed in terms of ethanol consumption rate and product yield according to the initial ethanol concentration and the strains.