Production of ethanol from infant food formulas by common yeasts

Abstract

Four common yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Torulopsis glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were combined with five infant food formulas and/or supplements (Isomil, Nutramigen, 5% glucose, Coca Cola and Similac) and incubated at 37 degrees C. Gas chromatography was used to measure ethanol production after 24 and 48 h incubation. The quantities of ethanol produced suggest a possible explanation for patients exhibiting the 'Auto-Brewery Syndrome' and raises interest in the role auto-produced ethanol could have in explaining the etiology of Sudden Infant Death.

Breath Ethanol and Acetone as Indicators of Serum Glucose Levels: An Initial Report

“…Only in pathological circumstances does bacterial production of ethanol markedly increase, as first described by Ladkin and Davis 13 in 1948 and later by other authors. [21][22][23] In this exceptional situation, referred to as the "auto-brewery syndrome," an excessive overload of carbohydrate or glucose is introduced in a digestive system with abnormal yeast or bacterial proliferation-particularly Candida species 24 -and massive alcoholic fermentation and ethanol production ensues. 22,23 The biochemical pathway follows the steps of anaerobic glycolysis to pyruvate, as occurs in mammals, but bacteria and yeast also contain the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase, not present in humans, that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, which is then converted to ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase (working in the opposite direction from its role in humans).…”

A Case Study of Gut Fermentation Syndrome (Auto-Brewery) with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as the Causative Organism

“…Furthermore, Bivin and Heinen [11] conducted an experiment combining five infant food formulas and/or supplements with four common yeasts (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, Torulopsisglabrata, and S. cerevisiae) to measure ethanol production in vitro. All of the mixtures of yeast and carbohydrate produced ethanol with the S. cerevisiae preparations being the highest.…”

Auto-Brewery Syndrome in a Child With Short Gut Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Endogenous production of alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract of humans was first reported in 1948 (1). Several cases were reported particularly in Japan and then from around the world (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). The term "auto-brewery syndrome" has been used to describe patients who become repeatedly inebriated after ingestion of food of high carbohydrate nature in the presence of abnormal yeast proliferation, particularly of Candida species (8).…”