Penicillin is a fungal-derived antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. It is useful in healing common infections. Before its discovery, common infections would have caused death.
Discovery
While conducting an experiment with bacteria, a tear fell on Fleming's petri dish. After some time, he noticed that a substance in his tear, which he named lysozyme, killed the bacteria while not harming the body's white blood cells. After many other experiments with bacteria, he concluded that the mold he was using for his bacteria experiments was producing an antibiotic and named it penicillin. The name derives from the particular type of mold he was using, called Penicillium.
The Early Years
Early on, penicillin was made with traditional dairy equipment. Mold was grown in hospital bedpans, and the liquid beneath the mold was filtered through parachute material (silk) onto bookshelves. The method was successful, but mass quantities were needed to test the drug on several patients to research its effectiveness. Drug companies in Great Britain were unable to help with production because of the onset of World War II. The scientists then traveled to the United States in hopes they could convince Americans of the importance of the new drug and get production help. During the meeting, a Department of Agriculture representative initiated a new course in production because of a thick liquid that could be used in producing penicillin. This liquid came from corn mills. After experimenting with the new liquid, it was discovered that 10 times the amount of penicillin could be produced. After looking for new sources, it was found that mold growing on cantaloupe was twice as successful as the corn liquid.
Production
Late in 1943, mass production began. Different drug companies, such as Merck and Pfizer in the United States and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in Australia, were producing the drug. Australia's drug company was the first to make the drug available to civilian patients. Penicillin production is an ever-changing science. Because of cell mutation, bacteria become resistant to the antibiotic. Scientists have to change the natural characteristics of the drug chemically to overcome the problem. This change allows resistant bacteria to multiply while non-resistant bacteria die. Because of the overuse of the antibiotic, there are strains of bacteria that are now completely resistant to the drug. This makes more people susceptible for infections that will end in death.
