As well as being in intoxicating liquor, alcohol is also an ingredient of disinfectants. It is strong stuff. It is not only produced by microbes but is also one of the best ways to combat them.
As well as being in intoxicating liquor, alcohol is also an ingredient of disinfectants. It is strong stuff. It is not only produced by microbes but is also one of the best ways to combat them.
From beer to biofuel
Alcohol is an organic compound made from a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a carbon chain. The most well-known form of alcohol is ethanol (C2H5OH). That is the alcohol found in most alcoholic drinks, such as wine and beer, but which is also used as fuel (such as bioethanol).
No yeast, no beer
Alcohol plays an important part in microbiology. Micro-organisms are, for instance, essential in the production of alcoholic drinks. The alcohol in beer and wine is a by-product of yeasts. They break down glucose (sugars) in the drink to get energy. The alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2) which are produced are waste products for the yeast, but important ingredients for the drink. If the concentration of alcohol in the beer gets too high, the yeasts themselves will be killed.
Environmentally friendly or not?
Yeasts are also used in the production of ethanol as biofuel. Bioethanol is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to the use of fossil fuels, such as petroleum. Bioethanol vehicles produce less CO2 in exhaust fumes than petrol-driven ones.
Sparklingly clean
Alcohol is also useful as a cleaner. It actually has a strong anti-microbial action, in other words, it kills microbes. High concentrations of ethanol are used in hospitals and laboratories to make equipment, work places and also hands sterile (microbe-free). This means that alcohol should not be used for everything because it also kills helpful bacteria which are necessary for your health.