Vessel for growing Mould, used in Oxford, England, 1942

Penicillin surface fermentation vessel.

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Penicillin surface fermentation vessel.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Penicillin surface fermentation vessel, European, 1940-44, in porcelain.

Specially designed for harvesting penicillin, this vessel enabled the soupy product to be poured out easily from beneath the felt-like Penicillium mould. The mould requires air to grow and this was the most sophisticated vessel in use until the development of deep stirred tanks into which air was bubbled under pressure. Penicillin became a medicine in the early 1940s, during the Second World War, thanks to an Oxford University team led by Howard Florey (1898-1968). The Oxford scientists managed to separate and purify very small quantities of penicillin and show its successful use as an antibiotic.

Details

Category:
Biotechnology
Object Number:
1976-628
Materials:
porcelain
Measurements:
overall: 100 mm x 350 mm x 240 mm, 2.065kg
type:
fermentation vessel
credit:
ICI Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals Division)