Fermentation is an energy-yielding anaerobic metabolic process in which organisms convert nutrients (typically carbohydrates) to alcohols and acids (lactic acid and acetic acid). Fermentation is perhaps the most ancient biotechnological discovery.

Principles of Fermentation Technology- Whitaker, Stanbury and Hall, 2nd Ed

An Introduction to Fermentation Processes, Microbial Growth Kinetics, The Isolation, Preservation and Improvement of Industrially Important Micro-organisms, Media for Industrial Fermentations, Sterilization, The Development of Inocula for Industrial Fermentations, Design of a Fermenter, Instrumentation and Control, Aeration and Agitation, The Recovery and Purification of Fermentation Products, Effluent Treatment, Fermentation Economics