The fermentation is caused by air - born wild yeast. The fermentation process of yeast is caused by enzymes, catalysts in chemical reactions similar to the digestive enzymes in the human body. Certain enzymes in yeast act on starch to break down the long chain of complex molecules into smaller units of sugar. Then other yeast enzymes convert one kinds of sugar molecule to another. Still other enzyme reactions break apart the sugar molecule (composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms) into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. The series of reaction provides the yeast cells with the energy necessary for their growth and division (form of reproduction). Fermentation is a biochemical process which involves the growth and action of microbes like yeast. With free availability of oxygen, sugars get decomposed into carbon dioxide and water. However, in absence or scant presence of oxygen, the yeast cells consume the sugar in aqueous medium and produce carbon dioxide and alcohol. While the alcohol gets dissolved in the water, the carbon dioxide gas bubbles out. During this process, the thick consistency batters, like that of idli, swell.
This is the basis behind Neelima's mother adding dry yeast powder to the idli batter.