Can you use baking soda instead of yeast to make alcohol?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, cannot be used as a substitute for yeast in the process of making alcohol through fermentation. Yeast, a type of fungus, is a crucial ingredient in alcohol production as it converts fermentable sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide through the process of cellular respiration.

Baking soda, on the other hand, is a chemical compound that acts as a leavening agent in baking and cooking, causing batters or doughs to rise. It works by releasing carbon dioxide gas when combined with an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice or buttermilk. While baking soda produces carbon dioxide, it does not possess the enzymatic capabilities of yeast to convert sugars into alcohol.

Therefore, baking soda cannot be used instead of yeast for alcohol production, as it lacks the necessary biological processes and enzymes to carry out alcoholic fermentation.