Question

What is the difference between Homolactic and Heterolactic Fermentation?

Answer 1

Fermentation is a metabolic process that alters the chemical composition of organic substrates via enzymes. It is defined as the process of extracting energy from carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen in biochemistry. It can also refer to any procedure in which the action of microbes causes a desired change in a food or beverage in the food industry. Zymology refers to the study of fermentation.

Complete answer :
Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts organic molecules to acids, gases, and alcohols. In the absence of oxygen or any other electron transport chain, this process happens. Lactic acid fermentation and ethanol fermentation are the two most common types of fermentation.
The conversion of one glucose molecule into two lactic acid molecules is known as homolactic fermentation. Heterolactic fermentation is the polar opposite of this. The conversion of one glucose molecule into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and ethanol is known as heterolactic fermentation.
Lactic acid fermentation can be divided into two categories: homolactic and heterolactic. One of the main differences between homolactic and heterolactic fermentation is that in homolactic fermentation, one glucose molecule is converted into two lactic acid molecules, but in heterolactic fermentation, one glucose molecule is converted into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and ethanol. Furthermore, homolactic fermentation produces more ATP than heterolactic fermentation.

| Homolactic Fermentation| Heterolactic Fermentation
---|---|---
DEFINITION| Homolactic fermentation is the conversion of one glucose molecule into two lactic acid molecules.| Heterolactic fermentation is the conversion of one glucose molecule into a lactic acid molecule. Carbon dioxide and ethanol.
PROCESS| Conversion of glucose into lactic acid.| Conversion of glucose into lactic acid, ethanol, and carbon dioxide.
END PRODUCT| Lactic acid and ATP.| Lactic acid, carbon dioxide, ethanol and ATP.
ATP PRODUCTION| High| Low

Note :
In the dairy business, homolactic fermentation is vital for souring milk and producing various fermented products. A homolactic fermentation bacteria, Streptococcus mutans , is responsible for dental caries. Lactobacillus spp. in the human digestive tract aids in the digestion of lactose in milk. Leuconostoc mesenteroides , Lactobacillus bifermentans , and Leuconostoc lactis are examples of heterolactic bacteria.