Alexander Fleming's Discovery of Antibiotic Penicillin

Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin. It is a widely used antibiotic that is effective against a variety of bacterial infections. Here is a breakdown of his discovery:

Sources of Penicillin

Penicillin is produced by a type of mold called Penicillium. This mold is commonly found on fruits, vegetables, bread, and other food items.

Discovery of Penicillin

In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that a petri dish containing Staphylococcus bacteria had been contaminated with Penicillium mold. He observed that the bacteria near the mold were dying, while those further away were not affected. He concluded that the mold was producing some substance that was killing the bacteria.

Development of Penicillin as an Antibiotic

Fleming initially tried to extract and purify the substance produced by the mold, but was unsuccessful. It wasn't until the 1940s that Howard Florey and Ernst Chain were able to isolate and purify penicillin. They were able to show that penicillin was effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, and it was quickly adopted as a life-saving antibiotic.

Impact of Penicillin

The discovery of penicillin revolutionized medicine, and it is still widely used today to treat bacterial infections. It has saved countless lives and has been instrumental in the development of other antibiotics.

In conclusion, Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was a significant milestone in medical history. It highlights the importance of careful observation and the potential for serendipitous discoveries. Penicillin has had a profound impact on medicine and has saved countless lives over the past century.

Penicillin is the antibiotics which is extracted from penicillium notatum