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Ferment

To break down substrates anaerobically to yield reduced products and energy.

Anaerobic catabolic process in which microorganisms (or muscle, briefly) regenerate NAD+ by reducing pyruvate or other intermediates, producing lactate, ethanol, short-chain fatty acids, or gases.

How one textbook covers it

  • Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary

    Anaerobic catabolic process in which microorganisms (or muscle, briefly) regenerate NAD+ by reducing pyruvate or other intermediates, producing lactate, ethanol, short-chain fatty acids, or gases.

Related terms

Fermentation, Short-chain fatty acids