fermentation

[fur-men-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of fermenting.

2. a change brought about by a ferment, as yeast enzymes, which convert grape sugar into ethyl alcohol.

3. agitation; excitement.

fermentation

/ ˌfɜːmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. Also called: ferment. a chemical reaction in which a ferment causes an organic molecule to split into simpler substances, esp the anaerobic conversion of sugar to ethyl alcohol by yeast

fermentation

1. The process by which complex organic compounds, such as glucose, are broken down by the action of enzymes into simpler compounds without the use of oxygen. Fermentation results in the production of energy in the form of two ATP molecules, and produces less energy than the aerobic process of cellular respiration. The other end products of fermentation differ depending on the organism. In many bacteria, fungi, protists, and animals cells (notably muscle cells in the body), fermentation produces lactic acid and lactate, carbon dioxide, and water. In yeast and most plant cells, fermentation produces ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, and water.

fermentation

1. A chemical reaction in which sugars are broken down into smaller molecules that can be used in living systems. Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and whiskey, are made from the controlled use of fermentation. Fermentation is an anaerobic process.

Other Word Forms

• fermentative adjective
• fermentativeness noun
• fermentatively adverb
• nonfermentation noun
• prefermentation noun
• self-fermentation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fermentation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fermentacioun, from Late Latin fermentātiōn-, stem of fermentātiō, from Latin fermentāt(us) “fermented” (past participle of fermentāre “to ferment”; ferment ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Once the casein is made through this precision fermentation, it is mixed with plant-based fat and the other components of milk needed for cheese, and then the traditional cheese-making process ensues.

From BBC

The process is known as precision fermentation, which is like the fermentation used to make beer, but different: "precision" is a rebranding word for genetically engineered.

From BBC

He acknowledges that carob "really doesn't taste like chocolate" but adds that Foreverland's fermentation and roasting process removes some of the carob flavour to get it closer to cocoa.

From BBC

These include oils and meat grown from animal cells in bio-reactors - fermentation tanks like you might see in a brewery.

From BBC

Under the proposal for English single malt whisky, the drink would only be required to be distilled at one site, while mashing and fermentation could take place elsewhere.

From BBC