The Enigma of Ferment From the Philosopher's Stone to the First Biochemical Nobel Prize |
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| Author:
| Lagerkvist, Ulf |
| ISBN: | 978-981-270-092-6 |
| Publication Date: | Nov 2005 |
| Publisher: | World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd
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| Book Format: | Digital (delivered electronically) |
| List Price: | USD $31.00 |
Book Description:
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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...
More DescriptionThis 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.