Fermentation Definition
Through the anaerobic process of fermentation, glucose may release energy even in the absence of oxygen.
What is Fermentation?
Animal muscles, bacteria, and yeast cells all undergo fermentation. The process by which glucose is broken down is anaerobic.
Cellular respiration is the term for the respiration that takes place in our bodies at the smallest scale, i.e., within individual cells. It happens whether oxygen is present or not. Any kind of cellular respiration starts with glycolysis, which yields pyruvic acid, a 3-C molecule, as its final product.
There are two main methods that different cells handle this pyruvate, and fermentation is one of them. Let’s examine fermentation in more detail, including its various forms and anaerobic respiration.
Fermentation Types

Three categories of fermentation exist:
Lactic Acid Fermentation
In this, bacteria and yeast strains transform starch or sugar into lactic acid. Energy used during exercise exceeds the amount of oxygen delivered to the muscle cells. Lactic acid builds up as a result, causing sore muscles.
Alcohol Fermentation
The final byproduct of glycolysis, pyruvate, is converted to carbon dioxide and alcohol. Alcoholic fermentation is the process that creates beer and wine.
Acetic Acid Fermentation
Grain and fruit starch and sugar ferment to produce sauces and vinegar. For example, apple cider vinegar.
Fermentation – Anaerobic Respiration
Cellular respiration that occurs without the presence of oxygen is known as anaerobic respiration. Anaerobic pathways, such as fermentation, are found in most prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes. This technique produces acids and alcohol by partly oxidizing glucose.
The pyruvic acid produced when glucose partially oxidizes is transformed into ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO2) in organisms such as yeast. Ethanol or alcoholic fermentation is the term for this anaerobic state. The enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and pyruvic acid decarboxylase catalyze the entire reaction. Lactate dehydrogenase converts pyruvic acid to lactic acid in anaerobic conditions in certain bacteria and mammalian muscle cells. We refer to this as fermentation of lactic acid. These anaerobic routes are dangerous processes because of their byproducts. For instance, yeast cells that generate alcohol at a concentration higher than 13 percent have the potential to self-destruct.
NADH+H+ is the reducing agent that is reduced to NAD+ during the fermentation of lactic acid and alcohol. In comparison to aerobic respiration, very little energy is released during either phase, and only two ATP molecules are created overall throughout fermentation. Nonetheless, the food and beverage as well as pharmaceutical businesses use this on a commercial basis.
Continue visiting the Knowledge Glow website to learn more about anaerobic respiration, fermentation definitions, and what fermentation is.