Who is credited with the discovery of penicillin?

The discovery of penicillin is credited to Alexander Fleming, who made this groundbreaking finding in 1928. Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist, observed that a mold named Penicillium notatum produced a substance that could kill a variety of bacteria. This observed antibacterial property marked the beginning of antibiotic medicine, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections and significantly reducing the death rates from such infections.

While Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Joseph Lister made critical contributions to the field of microbiology and medicine—such as developing pasteurization, identifying the germ theory of disease, and introducing antiseptic surgical practices respectively—the discovery of penicillin is specifically attributed to Fleming’s work with the mold and its effects on bacteria. Each of these scientists played important roles in advancing medical science, but Fleming's identification of penicillin stands out as a pivotal moment in pharmacology.