Industrial fermentation processes begin with suitable microorganisms and

specified conditions, such as careful adjustment of nutrient concentration. The

products are of many types: alcohol, glycerol, and carbon dioxide from yeast
fermentation of various sugars; butyl alcohol, acetone, lactic
acid, monosodium glutamate, and acetic acidfrom various bacteria; and citric
acid, gluconic acid, and small amounts of antibiotics, vitamin B12,
and riboflavin (vitamin B2) from mold fermentation. Ethyl alcohol produced via
the fermentation of starch or sugar is an important source of liquid biofuel.