Test: Ethanol Formation by Fermentation - JAMB MCQ

The production of ethanol by fermentation involves the anaerobic fermentation of sugar or starch-containing materials, such as fruits, grains, or molasses, by yeast or bacteria. During fermentation, the yeast or bacteria convert sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen.

Ethanol produced by fermentation is primarily derived from renewable sources, such as fruits, grains, or sugarcane. These organic materials contain sugars or starches that can be converted into ethanol through the fermentation process.

Palm wine is an example of a local source that undergoes fermentation to produce gin. Palm wine is extracted from the sap of various palm trees and is then fermented to produce alcoholic beverages such as gin.

Glycerol is classified as a trihydric alkanol because it contains three hydroxyl (-OH) groups. It is also referred to as glycerin and is commonly used in various applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products.

Alkanols with the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH are primary alkanols. Primary alkanols have the hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to only one other carbon atom.

The importance of ethanol as an alternative energy provider is primarily due to its use as a fuel. Ethanol can be blended with gasoline or used as a standalone fuel in vehicles, offering a renewable and cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels.

Ethanol is commonly used as a fuel additive in gasoline engines to reduce emissions. It helps to increase the oxygen content in the fuel mixture, leading to more complete combustion and a decrease in harmful pollutants emitted during combustion.

The functional group present in all alkanols is the hydroxyl group (-OH). It is responsible for the characteristic properties of alkanols, such as their ability to form hydrogen bonds and exhibit alcohol-like behavior.

Tertiary alkanols exhibit chirality and optical isomerism. Chirality refers to the property of having a non-superimposable mirror image, and optical isomerism arises when a compound exists in two enantiomeric forms (mirror images) that rotate plane-polarized light in different directions.

Ethanol can be obtained by the fermentation of glucose. Glucose, a common sugar, can be derived from various sources, including fruits, grains, and starchy materials, and it serves as the primary substrate for yeast or bacteria during the fermentation process.