Fermentation Essay

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DIFFERENCES IN STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF SUGARS AND THE INFLUENCE OF SUGAR ON ABILITY OF YEAST TO FERMENT Sarah Yacobi In this study, we investigated the structural properties of various sugars that influence yeast’s ability to ferment. Fermentation is an anaerobic process in which energy is released in the absence of oxygen. This is a metabolic process in which an organism converts a carbohydrate such as starch or sugar, into an alcohol or acid. It is known that many alcoholic beverages are made with fruit juice from things such as grapes, etc. Therefore, we hypothesized that fructose, which is a 6 carbon sugar, will be likely to ferment more readily than ribose, which is a 5 carbon sugar, when in the presence of yeast. Because this sugar is structured with the hydroxyl group and oxygen molecules flipped on the fourth carbon of the carbon backbone, it’s ability to ferment yeast is increased. 6 mL of yeast was introduced to a fermentation flak and combined with 6mL of Arabinose and Galactose. We allowed each of the tubes to ferment for 10 minutes in a 37° water bath. At the end of the designated period of time, observations were made regarding the amount of carbon dioxide bubble present in the top of the fermentation flask. Arabinose, a 5 carbon sugar just like ribose not expected to ferment while Galactose, a 6 carbon sugar similar to fructose, was expected to release carbon dioxide and ferment. The results of the first experiment did not support the initial hypothesis made. Neither of the sugars fermented, meaning that the fermentation process has no direct relationship to the carbon backbone of specific sugars. A second hypothesis was made that considered another feature of the sugar, which might be important in the yeast’s ability to metabolize it. We now hypothesize that any sugar with a trans arrangement of the oxygen and hydroxyl group molecule on the

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