Albert Szent-Györgyi (16 September 1893 – 22 October 1986) was a Hungarian biochemist. In 1937, Albert Szent-Györgyi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Life and Career
Albert Szent-Györgyi was born on 16 September 1893, in Budapest, Hungary.
Szent-Györgyi studied medicine at the University of Budapest, where he earned his medical degree in 1917.
He continued his studies in Berlin and Hamburg, where he conducted research in physiology and biochemistry.
After completing his studies, Szent-Györgyi worked as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Budapest.
He made important contributions to the understanding of cell respiration and muscle function.
During World War I, he served as a medical officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army.
In the 1920s, he conducted groundbreaking research on the chemical nature of muscle contraction.
Szent-Györgyi is best known for his discovery of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the 1920s, which he isolated from paprika (red pepper) and later from other sources like oranges.
His work on vitamin C and its role in preventing scurvy and other health benefits had a profound impact on nutrition and public health.
Szent-Györgyi passed away on October 22, 1986, in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA, at the age of 93.
Award and Legacy
Albert Szent-Györgyi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937 for his discoveries related to vitamin C and its essential role in preventing scurvy. He shared the Nobel Prize with Paul Karrer, who was recognized for his work on the structure of carotenoids and vitamins.
Albert Szent-Györgyi’s discovery of vitamin C and his contributions to the field of biochemistry and physiology have had a lasting impact on nutrition and human health.
He played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the importance of vitamins in preventing disease and maintaining overall health.
Szent-Györgyi’s work laid the foundation for further research on vitamins and their roles in biochemistry, and he remains a respected figure in the history of science.