Fermentation

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Fermentation

In 1856 fermentation, reaction was first demonstrated by Louis Pasteur in yeast. The study of fermentation and its practical uses is named as Zymology. Any energy releasing metabolic process that takes place only under anaerobic condition is called fermentation. It can also be defined as a metabolic process that release energy from a sugar or other organic molecule.

It does not require oxygen or an electron transport system, and uses an organic molecule as the final electron acceptor. Fermentation reaction yields only a small amount of energy (2 ATP). (Figure 4.9). Organic electron acceptors such as pyruvate or acetaldehyde react with NADH to form NAD⁺, producing CO₂ and organic solvent like ethanol. Fermentation can be classified as Lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.

Lactic acid fermentation

During Glycolysis, in the first step of lactic acid fermentation, a molecule of glucose is oxidized to 2 molecules of pyruvic acid and it generates the energy. In the next step pyruvic acid is reduced by NADH to form lactic acid. Lactobacillus and Streptococcus are some of the lactic acid producing genera (Figure 4.10).

Anaerobes do not use an electron transport chain to oxidize NADH to NAD⁺ and therefore use fermentation as alternative method to maintain a supply of NAD⁺ for the proper function of normal metabolic pathways. Facultative anaerobes can use fermentation under anaerobic condition and carryout aerobic respiration when oxygen is present.

Fermentation reoxidizes NADH to NAD⁺ by converting pyruvic acid into various organic acids.

During fermentation, NADH is converted back into the coenzyme NAD⁺ so that it can be used again for Glycolysis.

Milk is converted into fermented products such as curd, yogurt and cheese. The fermentation of lactose in milk by these bacteria produces lactic acid which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and characteristic tart flavour. Here lactase enzyme is produce by the bacteria which convert the lactose into
lactic acid.

Homolactic acid fermentation

In this type of fermentation, organism produces lactic acid alone. So it is referred to as homolactic fermentation.

Glucose + 2ADP + 2P → Lactic acid + 2 ATP

Heterolactic acid fermentation

In this type of fermentation, organism produces Lactic acid as well as other acids or alcohol. So it is known as hetero fermentation or heterolactic and often uses the pentose phosphate pathway.

Alcohol Fermentation

Alcohol fermentation begins with the Glycolysis which yields two molecules of pyruvic acid and two molecules of ATPs. In the next step, the two molecules of pyruvic acid are converted to two molecules of acetaldehyde and two molecules of CO₂.

The acetaldehydes are then reduced by NADH to form ethanol. The ethanol and CO₂ produced by the yeast Saccharomyces is used in alcoholic beverages and to raise bread dough respectively.