Which of the following organisms is used in the production of beverages?

Options

A. Penicillium notatum
B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
C. Aspergillus niger
D. Clostridium butyricum

Explanation

To determine which organism is used in the production of beverages, we can analyze the given options step by step:

### Step 1: Identify the Organisms
We have the following organisms to consider:
1. Penicillium notatum
2. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
3. Aspergillus niger
4. Clostridium butyricum

### Step 2: Analyze Each Organism
- **Penicillium notatum**: This organism is primarily known for its role in the production of penicillin, an antibiotic. It is not used in beverage production.
- **Saccharomyces cerevisiae**: This is a type of yeast commonly known as brewer's yeast. It is extensively used in the fermentation process to produce alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. Therefore, this is a strong candidate for our answer.
- **Aspergillus niger**: This fungus is primarily used for the production of citric acid and is not involved in beverage production.
- **Clostridium butyricum**: This bacterium is known for its role in butyric acid fermentation and is not used in the production of beverages.

### Step 3: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the organism that is used in the production of beverages is **Saccharomyces cerevisiae**.

### Final Answer
The correct answer is **Saccharomyces cerevisiae**.

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