Question

What is meant by fermentation? Write chemical equations for the two steps involved in preparing ethanol by the fermentation of molasses.

Answer 1

Fermentation is process that converts sugar molecules into acids, gases or alcohols.

Preparing ethanol by the fermentation of molasses:
C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + H₂O → 2 C₆H₁₂O₆
C₆H₁₂O₆ → C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂
Both these reactions occur in the presence of enzymes zymase and sucrose present in yeast.