The Bulgarian trace in science…The Bulgarian trace in science…

Dr Dr Stamen Gigov Grigorov is a Stamen Gigov Grigorov is a Bulgarian biologist andBulgarian biologist and physician physician. He . He was was the first scientist who the first scientist who discovered discovered the bacteriathe bacteria Lactobacillus delbureckii subspLactobacillus delbureckii subsp. . BulgaricusBulgaricus (a microorganism (a microorganism which which causes milk to turn into yoghurtcauses milk to turn into yoghurt).).

Dr Dr Stamen Grigorov was born in the Stamen Grigorov was born in the village of Studen Izvor, Tran Region, in village of Studen Izvor, Tran Region, in 1878. He completed his secondary 1878. He completed his secondary education in Sofia and then he studied education in Sofia and then he studied natural sciences in Montpellier,natural sciences in Montpellier, France, France, and after thatand after that medical science in medical science in GenevaGeneva, Switzerland, Switzerland

In 1905, at the age of 27, Dr. In 1905, at the age of 27, Dr. Grigorov made the discovery, for Grigorov made the discovery, for which he is best known. In the which he is best known. In the microbiological laboratory of microbiological laboratory of Professor Masole in Geneva, he Professor Masole in Geneva, he discovered that a certain strain of discovered that a certain strain of bacillus is the true cause for the bacillus is the true cause for the existence of natural existence of natural yoghurt.yoghurt.

Pr. Masol made him his first Pr. Masol made him his first assistant. assistant. Dr Grigorov Dr Grigorov was was offered offered a a series of prestigeseries of prestigeousous posts – posts – a a professor at theprofessor at the University of Geneva, University of Geneva, a a director director of the Pasteur institute in Sao of the Pasteur institute in Sao Paolo.Paolo.

He married a woman He married a woman from Tran named from Tran named Darina. Four sons were Darina. Four sons were born to themborn to them.. In 1944, In 1944, during the bombing, he during the bombing, he came back to Bulgaria to came back to Bulgaria to be together with his be together with his familyfamily. H. His work in Italy is work in Italy was was continued continued by his by his son – Dr. Alexander son – Dr. Alexander Grigorov.Grigorov.

He started working as a district He started working as a district docotr in Trandocotr in Tran, where he , where he created created an anti-tuberculosis vaccine. A an anti-tuberculosis vaccine. A little bit earlierlittle bit earlier, however, , however, two two FrenchFrenchmen men -- Albert Kalmet and Albert Kalmet and Kamay Geren Kamay Geren had had also also found found a a vaccinevaccine known as BCG known as BCG, which is , which is still applied nowadays.still applied nowadays.

What What Dr. Grigorov invented Dr. Grigorov invented was was something really incredible – „something really incredible – „a a killed vaccine”, which is a lot killed vaccine”, which is a lot safer.safer.

During the Balkan War During the Balkan War and the World Warand the World War I I he he was a military front was a military front doctor. In the region of doctor. In the region of Petrich he was fighting Petrich he was fighting agaagaiinst the burstnst the burst of of cholera. He was awarded cholera. He was awarded with with an an order „order „Of Of Bravery” and a „Red Bravery” and a „Red Cross”Cross” gold medal gold medal..

At At the end ofthe end of 19th 19th and the and the beginbeginnning of the ing of the 2020th century th century during his journey in Bulgaria, the during his journey in Bulgaria, the Russian scientist Ilia Mechnikov Russian scientist Ilia Mechnikov discoverdiscovered ed that that BBulgarians ulgarians consumeconsumedd yoghurt yoghurt daily and tdaily and that hat yoghurt yoghurt containcontaineded specific specific BBulgarian bacteria.ulgarian bacteria.

He found that the He found that the regular regular intake intake reducereducedd significantly significantly the amount the amount of of cholesterol in blood.cholesterol in blood. Thanks to Thanks to aall its healing qualities ll its healing qualities the the Bulgarian yoghurt contributes to Bulgarian yoghurt contributes to the slower agthe slower ageeing of organism. ing of organism.

Lactobacillus delbureckii subsp. bulgaricus

Bulgarian yogBulgarian yoghurthurt is is made ofmade of two two components:components: fresh milk fresh milk and and leavening substanceleavening substance..

A lot of different A lot of different traditional Bulgarian traditional Bulgarian meals can be made with meals can be made with yyoghurt.oghurt. Some of them Some of them are ''banitsa'' and are ''banitsa'' and ''tarator''. ''tarator''.

Yoghurt Yoghurt has been has been testedtested as a as a cosmetic product.cosmetic product. Its proteins Its proteins and and fat protect the skin and hair from fat protect the skin and hair from drying.drying.

Greek doctors Greek doctors also also claim that claim that yoghurt is yoghurt is a a better cure against the better cure against the tiny white dust on your shoulders.tiny white dust on your shoulders.

Yoghurt can Yoghurt can relieve burning relieve burning injuries. When it is used injuries. When it is used right after right after burningburning, it p, it preventrevents the appearance s the appearance of blisters of blisters or skinor skin peeling peeling. .