Optimal pH for ethanol production in yeast

Abstract

Ethanol is used in many industrial processes, and the ethanol produced by S. cerevisiae during fermentation is being researched and tested to see if it can be utilized as a source. Scientists are trying to discover the optimal conditions for ethanol production. The research we are conducting is the optimal pH for yeast. We tested yeast at a pH of 3, 4, 5, and 7 to see which level had the greatest ethanol production rate. We hypothesized that a pH of 4 would yield the highest rate of ethanol production because studies have found that the optimal pH for yeast is between 4.0 and 5.0. Our hypothesis was proven to be wrong. We found that a pH of 5 yielded the highest rate of ethanol production. With this information, researchers should look into finding ways to maximize ethanol production at a pH 5 and use it in industrial processes.