Nano Stepanov
https://doi.org/10.53656/nat2022-3.07
Abstract. The article is dedicated to the 200-year anniversary of the great Louis Pasteur and aims to represent his work focusing on his less famous contributions as a chemist. By examining his accomplishments in the historical context of chemistry’s development – isomerism (between Berzelius and Van’t Hoff) and theory of fermentation (between Liebig and Berthelot). Based on his research on optically active substances (mainly tartaric acid and its salts) he distinguishes optical activity caused by crystal structure and molecular asymmetry, hypothesizes that the way atoms are positioned in a molecule is the cause for optical activity, defining a new
form of isomerism thus paving the way for stereochemistry.
The later scientific achievements of Pasteur are related to him entering the world of microorganisms – fermentation, disproving the theory of spontaneous generation,
clarifying the origin and prevention of infectious diseases. It is emphasized that he is
a scientist who takes his work out of the laboratory and ‘into the world’: examining
the diseases of the silk worm, difficulties in brewing, wine and vinegar production.
He communicates with people affected by the problem, exchanges knowledge and
experience with them, offers advice, includes them in his search for solutions.
Generally describing his work as a physicochemist, biochemist, microbiologist,
immunologist and his personality with emphasis on his morality as a scientist. He is a patriot, citizen, humanist and a true benefactor of humanity.
Keywords: history of chemistry; crystallography; stereochemistry; microbiology;
fermentation; infectious diseases; immunology
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