[History of antibiotics and sulphonamides discoveries]

In the 19th century, the effect of mould on bacterial colonies was investigated. In 1921, Alexander Fleming examined systemic fluids and observed some substances called lyzosomes which were capable of dissolving bacteria. In 1928, he discovered that a specific mould species inhibited the development of Staphylococcus bacteria. The species was known as Pencillium notatum and the filtrate was called penicillin. In 1940, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain worked out the industrial production of penicillin. All three researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1945, and since then the era of antibiotics has been initiated. In 1935, Gerhard Domagk discovered the first sulphonamide--prontosil rubrum. Four years later he received the Noble Prize.