Bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates is known as which process?

• A. Autolysis
• B. Fermentation
• C. Saccharolysis
• D. Proteolysis

Answer: (B)

Fermentation is how bacteria extract energy from sugars when oxygen isn’t available. In this process, glycolysis runs to pyruvate, and the cell regenerates NAD+ by converting pyruvate into byproducts such as lactic acid, ethanol, or gases. This anaerobic pathway focuses on carbohydrate breakdown and produces distinctive end products, which is why bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates is described as fermentation. Autolysis involves self-digestion by cell enzymes, not sugar metabolism. Proteolysis is the breakdown of proteins, and saccharolysis isn’t the standard term used for this microbial sugar-processing pathway.