Alcohol The fermentation of sugar-based raw materials directly into ethanol is possible, for example, by fermenting cane juice or molasses. As starches contain alpha-amylases, glucoseamylases, and similar enzymes that must be catalyzed to convert glucose, these raw materials cannot ferment glucose.

Separate steps are involved in the liquefaction and saccharification of starch in the alcohol industry. In the alcohol production process, yeast converts smaller molecules into alcohol.