Ethanol Production

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is commonly used as a fuel source for vehicles. It is commercially produced through a process called fermentation, in which microorganisms are used to convert sugars into ethanol.

The microorganism species used in ethanol production is:

- Saccharomyces cerevisiae: This species of yeast is commonly used in the production of ethanol due to its ability to rapidly ferment sugars into ethanol. It is also able to tolerate high concentrations of ethanol, making it a popular choice for commercial ethanol production.

Fermentation Process

The process of producing ethanol through fermentation involves several steps:

1. Preparation of the feedstock: The feedstock for ethanol production is typically corn, sugarcane, or other types of crops that are rich in sugars or starches.

2. Conversion of sugars to ethanol: The feedstock is mixed with water and enzymes to break down the sugars into simpler compounds. The resulting mixture is then fermented with the help of microorganisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which convert the sugars into ethanol.

3. Distillation: Once the fermentation process is complete, the mixture is distilled to remove any impurities and increase the concentration of ethanol. This is typically done using a still, which heats the mixture and separates the ethanol from the water and other compounds.

4. Dehydration: The final step in ethanol production involves the removal of any remaining water from the ethanol. This is typically done using a molecular sieve, which absorbs the water and leaves behind pure ethanol.

In conclusion, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the species of microorganism commonly used in the commercial production of ethanol through the fermentation process.

Saccharomyces is an yeast which is used to ferment sugar to produce ethanol in absence of oxygen or by anaerobic respiration