controlled microbial action to give useful products. Ethanol, lactic acid, ethanoic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid and many other amino-acids are produced by fermentation. Many pharmaceuticals, e., decomposition of organic substances by enzymes, often with release of carbon dioxide and production of alcohols, acids or other complex products, käärimine, tooraine (näit. tubaka või teelehtede) töötlemise biokeemiline protsess, mis toimub fermentidega mõjustamise abil