Production of alcohol

Extended Essay

2013

08

Fall

CANDIDATE NAME: JODIE FONG

SUBJECT: BIOLOGY

SUPERVISOR: MS. MCCOSKER

WORD COUNT: 3995

RESEARCH QUESTION

To what extent does tropical climates and colder climates affect the production of ethyl alcohol during the fermentation of Vitis vinifera (Chasselas) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae?

International Baccalaureate

Abstract

My research question is to what extent does tropical climates and colder climates affect the production of ethyl alcohol during the fermentation of Vitis vinifera (Chasselas) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae? The aim of this study is to investigate the optimum temperature necessary to obtain the optimal ethyl alcohol level in white wines (11.0-12.5% v/v) during alcoholic fermentation of Vitis vinifera by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The experiment investigated this effect by fermenting Vitis vinifera at five different temperatures at 15 25 35 and 55over a period of 3 weeks, and measuring the ethyl alcohol content in the wine produced.

The results from the investigation of comparing the sugar content of the same grape in two different regions of the world clearly showed that Vitis vinifera (Chasselas) grown in tropical climates such as Indonesia reaches the ideal sugar level faster than those grown in colder climates such as Canada.

From Billede:Vitis-vinifera.JPG. Author and credit...

Vitis vinifera L subp vinifera

English: Vitis vinifera inflorescence

The effect of global warming on the harvesting of grapes was also discussed. The increasing global temperature over the past fifty years has benefited the quality of wine grown worldwide. However, the mean predicted warming of 2 in the next 50 years could possibly have a negative impact on the whole process of wine production. Thus, the purpose of this experiment is to investigate if higher temperatures can be used to produce high quality wine with the same alcohol level as cooler temperatures.

Word count: 236 words

Acknowledgements

I would like to take the time to thank my Extended Essay supervisor, Ms. Catherine McCosker for her valuable...