ANS:B - 40

Alcohol percentage in molasses may be around 10. Alcohol percentage in molasses may be around 10% because:

Composition of Molasses:

1. Sugar Content: Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production and contains various sugars, primarily sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The fermentation of these sugars produces alcohol.
2. Fermentation Process: During fermentation, yeast converts the sugars in molasses into ethanol. However, due to the high sugar concentration and the presence of other compounds, the maximum alcohol yield typically reaches around 10%.

Factors Affecting Alcohol Yield:

1. Nutrient Availability: While molasses provides sugars, it may lack certain nutrients necessary for yeast growth, which can limit fermentation efficiency.
2. Toxic Compounds: Molasses can contain byproducts from sugar processing that may inhibit yeast activity, further restricting the alcohol content.
3. Fermentation Conditions: Temperature, pH, and fermentation time also influence the final alcohol concentration. Optimal conditions can maximize alcohol production, but even under ideal circumstances, yields usually hover around 10%.

Practical Applications:

1. Ethanol Production: Despite this relatively low alcohol content, molasses is widely used in the production of ethanol, particularly for biofuels and alcoholic beverages, as it can be fermented multiple times to increase yields.
2. Value Addition: The alcohol extracted from molasses, alongside the remaining residues, can be utilized in various industries, enhancing the economic value of sugar production.

Summary: