ENIGMA OF FERMENT, THE: From the Philosopher's Stone to the First Biochemical Nobel Prize

by Ulf Lagerkvist

Overview

This popular account of the history of ferment takes the reader on a fascinating journey from its obscure origins in medieval medicine and alchemy to the modern concept of the enzyme. During the 19th century, the question of the nature of the ferment led to a long and bitter conflict between those that believed in a vital force peculiar to the living cell and those that looked for a more chemical explanation. The book takes an in-depth look at the events of 1897 when Eduard Buchner demonstrated that cell-free extracts of yeast could catalyze alcoholic fermentation, putting an end to “vitalism” and at the same time earning him a Nobel Prize, the first to be awarded for purely biochemical work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789814338165
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/07/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	172
File size:	3 MB