Biochemical Moment

Sucrose is a disaccharide consisting of glucose and fructose. Fermentation involves the breakdown of carbohydrates like sucrose, glucose and fructose. Fermentation does NOT require oxygen and can occur with or without oxygen being present. Cariogenic bacteria first break the bond that holds fructose to glucose. Glucose and fructose are transported into the cytoplasm. Fructose and glucose can then be broken down by the glycolysis pathway to pyruvate. Pyruvate is broken down further by fermentation to lactic acid (also called lactate; lactic acid fermentation pathway).

Take Care and Think Microbiologically!