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. 1985 Oct;164(1):173–180. doi: 10.1128/jb.164.1.173-180.1985

Mechanism of ethanol inhibition of fermentation in Zymomonas mobilis CP4.

Y A Osman, L O Ingram
PMCID: PMC214226  PMID: 4044518

Abstract

Accumulation of alcohol during fermentation is accompanied by a progressive decrease in the rate of sugar conversion to ethanol. In this study, we provided evidence that inhibition of fermentation by ethanol can be attributed to an indirect effect of ethanol on the enzymes of glycolysis involving the plasma membrane. Ethanol decreased the effectiveness of the plasma membrane as a semipermeable barrier, allowing leakage of essential cofactors and coenzymes. This leakage of cofactors and coenzymes, coupled with possible additional leakage of intermediary metabolites en route to ethanol formation, is sufficient to explain the inhibitory effects of ethanol on fermentation in Zymomonas mobilis.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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