Lakhasly

o Fermentation is a natural process where microbes convert sugars into simpler compounds, often under anaerobic conditions.o Our relationship with probiotic bacteria is commensalism, with probiotics receiving nutrients from the food but not directly from us. o Industrial fermentation is used in the production of medicines, such as penicillin and insulin.o The next stage depends on the species of microbe, with some converting pyruvate into lactate (lactic acid fermentation) and others into alcohol and carbon dioxide (yeast fermentation).o Fermentation catabolism breaks down molecules to release energy, forming organic acids, peroxides, and bacteriocins.

• Fermentation is a natural process where microbes convert sugars into simpler compounds, often
under anaerobic conditions.
• Fermentation microbes can be bacteria, yeast, or moulds.
• The process begins with glycolysis, where glucose is converted into pyruvate.
• The next stage depends on the species of microbe, with some converting pyruvate into lactate
(lactic acid fermentation) and others into alcohol and carbon dioxide (yeast fermentation).
• Fermentation catabolism breaks down molecules to release energy, forming organic acids,
peroxides, and bacteriocins.
• Fermentation is one of the earliest biotechnologies used for food preservation, with evidence
suggesting grapes were preserved as wine in Neolithic times.
• Fermentation microbes that rapidly bring down pH during fermentation prevent the growth of
harmful food pathogens, preserving food and increasing shelf life.
• Fermentation is essential to our health and ability to digest foods, with bacteria in the gut
microbiome synthesizing vitamin K and B-group vitamins.
• Our relationship with probiotic bacteria is commensalism, with probiotics receiving nutrients from
the food but not directly from us.
• Industrial fermentation is used in the production of medicines, such as penicillin and insulin.
• Three broad groups of food fermentations are reviewed: lactic acid fermentations, yeast
fermentations, and mixed types of fermentations like kombucha tea