What is Alcoholic Fermentation?

How Does It Work?

To sum up fermentation, it is basically glycolysis and an NAD+ regeneration step. The only thing that differs between alcoholic and homolactic fermentation is the regeneration step. After pyruvate is produced from glucose in glycolysis, pyruvate decarboxylase reacts with the pyruvate, resulting in acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide. This can be displayed as so:

Next, the acetaldehyde reacts with alcohol dehydrogenase which reduces it to ethanol while oxidizing the NADH into NAD+. Now there is more NAD+, 2 ATP have been created, and this process can continue for as long as needed.

When Is This Process Used?

This process is typically used by yeast, single celled fungi. Alcoholic fermentation is also used to make alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine. The carbon dioxide that is produced during this process is what gives beer and some sparkling wines their carbonation.