Fermentation of Ethanol
Note: Ethanol is also known as alcohol
Bread, beer, and Bordeaux
Fun Fact: Yeast typically functions under aerobic conditions (in the presence of oxygen), but are also capable of functioning under anaerobic conditions (in the absence of oxygen), and without oxygen, ethanol fermentation occurs in the cytosol of yeast cells.
Fun Fact 2: Most types of yeast will stop reproducing when the alcohol content reaches 15% ethanol by volume, or even earlier, putting a natural limit on the alcohol concentration achieved through fermentation.
Who/When/Where?
But for the case of ethanol fermentation, scientists could date this process being used back to prehistoric times.
The Good, The Bad, and The Delectable
Rubbing alcohol has increased the sanitation of public and personal areas ten-fold, as it can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Hospitals use rubbing alcohol all the time on surgical instruments and to even mop their floors with since it proves itself as a great disinfectant.
Ethanol gas is much more environmentally friendly than normal gasoline. It reduces greenhouse gases produced by over 59% compared to gasoline, and every day it replaces about 661,000 barrels of imported oil (meaning fewer oil spills) and to add to it, ethanol is a renewable resource.
Everyone loves bread. No argument there.
Despite what some may think, consuming small quantities of alcohol can actually be beneficial to your health. It decreases the risk of cardiovascular problems, decreases the possibility of lethal heart attack, can sometimes reduce the possibility of some kinds of strokes, and may reduce the danger of diabetes. Although this is in small quantities and not everyone is responsible with their alcohol.
In large quantities, alcohol can cause strokes, cirrhosis, cancer, birth defects, sudden death by cardiovascular problems, and suicidal tendencies. In the U.S. alone, over 88,000 people died a year from excessive alcohol, that includes drunk driving. It has also shortened the life span of many people, leading to the combined loss of 2.5 million years of potential life.