Question

Explain the process employed to obtain ethyl alcohol from glucose.

Answer 1

Fermentation is the process in which ethyl alcohol is obtained from glucose in the absence of oxygen. It is a kind of anaerobic respiration.
It releases energy by the breakdown of carbohydrates under the action of certain microorganisms that can metabolise sugar (glucose) and produce alcohol or acids in the absence of oxygen.
During the process, carbon dioxide gas is evolved. The chemical equation of the reaction is given below:

C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ + Energy
Glucose Ethyl alcohol Carbon dioxide