Which one of the following microbes is the source of acetic acid?

Options

A. Clostridium acetobutylicum
B. Acetobacter aceti
C. Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens
D. All of these

Answer

To determine which microbe is the source of acetic acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Chemical Reaction**:
- Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) is represented by the chemical formula CH3COOH.
- It is produced through the oxidation of ethanol (C2H5OH).

2. **Identify the Microbes Involved**:
- Certain microbes are known to convert ethanol into acetic acid.
- The key microbes involved in this process include:
- **Clostridium acetobutylicum**
- **Acetobacter aceti**
- **Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens**

3. **Recognize the Role of Each Microbe**:
- **Clostridium acetobutylicum**: This bacterium is known for its ability to ferment sugars and produce solvents, including butanol and acetone, but it can also contribute to acetic acid production.
- **Acetobacter aceti**: This is a primary acetic acid bacterium that directly converts ethanol into acetic acid, making it a major source of acetic acid in vinegar production.
- **Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens**: This bacterium is also involved in the production of acetic acid from ethanol.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since all the mentioned microbes are capable of producing acetic acid from ethanol, the correct answer to the question is "all of the above."

### Final Answer:
The source of acetic acid is **all of the above** (Clostridium acetobutylicum, Acetobacter aceti, Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens).

---