In 1928, Alexander Fleming, Scottish bacteriologist and doctor, discovered penicillin, a natural antibiotic derived from a fungus (genus Penicillium), which revolutionized medicine since. In his lab, Alexander had several petri dishes containing culture of microorganisms to some studies. In a culture of Staphylococcus aureus, the major cause of widespread infection, Fleming noticed something strange. The board had been infected by molds, and on his return, there was no bacteria.
Penicillium chrysogenum
Penicillium chrysogenum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Subdivision: pezizomycotina
Class: eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Trichocomaceae
Genre: Penicillium
Species: Penicillium chrysogenum
Isolating this type of fungus, it was found that the genus Penicillium and the substance produced by it had a bactericidal effect. To this substance was given the name penicillin, a substance that prevents the production of carbon molecules which are responsible for the formation of bacterial membrane.