Types of Fermentation

Fermentation are of various types depending upon the specific microorganism involved in the reaction and on the resulting product. Different types of fermentation are as follows:

Lactic Acid Fermentation

It is a metabolic process by which starch or sugar is converted into metabolite lactate, which is lactic acid by yeast strains and bacteria. It is an anaerobic fermentation process that occurs in some bacteria and animal cells when energy spend is more than the supplied oxygen. In this process, one glucose molecule is converted into pyruvate and then into lactic acid.

CH₃CO.COO + H⁺ + NADH₂ —> CH₃CHOHCOOH + NAD⁺

Alcohol Fermentation

Ethanol Fermentation or Alcohol Fermentation is a biological process where pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, is broken down into Ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide. Yeast performs this process in the absence of oxygen, alcoholic fermentation is an anaerobic process. Ethanol Fermentation is mainly used for the preparation of Alcoholic beverages like beer and the production of ethanol fuel.

CH₃COCOO + H⁺ —> CH₃CHO + CO₂

CH₃CHO + NADH—> CH₃CH₂OH + NAD⁺

Acetic Acid Fermentation

Acetic acid is also known as vinegar. The production of acetic acid generally involves two processes, the first is using yeast alcohol produced from sugar and the second is utilizing acetic acid bacteria to oxidize ethyl alcohol to acetic acid through acetaldehyde. Fermentation of acetic acid is done by two methods, surface fermentation and submerged fermentation.

CH₃CH₂OH —> CH₃CHO —> CH₃C(HO)₂ —> CH₃COOH

Butyric Acid Fermentation

It is a metabolic process in which microorganisms, break down organic compounds like carbohydrates and produce butyric acid as a by product. Butyric acid is a type of short-chain fatty acid, that finds application in digestion, gut health, and industrial applications.

C₆H₁₂O₆ –––>2C₄H₈O₂ + 2CO₂ + 2H₂

Fermentation is a metabolic process where microorganisms like yeast and bacteria convert sugars into alcohol, gases, or acids. Understanding the fermentation process and fermentation products is essential for applications in food production, biotechnology, and biofuel industries.

In this article, we will study types of fermentation, types, processes, advantages and importance in detail.