Acetone
Definition
Acetone is a volatile, flammable organic solvent with the chemical formula C3H6O. It is commonly produced by microbial fermentation and used in various industrial applications.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Acetone is produced by certain bacteria during the fermentation process, often in combination with butanol and ethanol.
- It plays a role in the acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation pathway, which is utilized by Clostridium species.
- The presence of acetone can indicate specific metabolic pathways are active within microbial cells.
- Acetone production can be influenced by factors such as pH, temperature, and nutrient availability in the fermentation medium.
- It can serve as a precursor for biosynthesis of other compounds or be used directly as an industrial solvent.
Review Questions
- Which microbial species are known to produce acetone during fermentation?
- What are the key environmental factors that affect acetone production in microbial metabolism?
- How does acetone production relate to the overall metabolic pathways in microbes?
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Related terms
Fermentation: A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohols under anaerobic conditions.
Clostridium: A genus of Gram-positive bacteria known for their ability to produce solvents like acetone through fermentation.
ABE Fermentation: A type of fermentation carried out by certain bacteria that produces acetone, butanol, and ethanol.
