Which of the the following microbe is the source of first antibiotic ?

Options

A. Aspergillus niger
B. Acetobacter aceti
C. Lactobacillus
D. Clostridium butylicum

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Antibiotics**: Begin by defining what an antibiotic is. Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by certain microbes that can kill or inhibit the growth of other microbes, particularly those that cause diseases.

2. **Historical Context**: Recognize the historical significance of the discovery of the first antibiotic. It was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 while he was researching Staphylococcus bacteria.

3. **The Discovery**: Explain the accidental discovery made by Fleming. He observed that a mold was growing on one of his unwashed culture plates, and around this mold, the Staphylococcus bacteria could not grow.

4. **Identifying the Mold**: Identify the specific mold that was responsible for this effect. The mold was identified as *Penicillium notatum*.

5. **Naming the Antibiotic**: Describe how Fleming named the antibiotic derived from this mold. The antibiotic was named penicillin, after the mold *Penicillium notatum*.

6. **Significance of Penicillin**: Mention the importance of penicillin as the first antibiotic and its subsequent development by scientists Ernst Chain and Howard Flory, which established its full potential as an effective antibiotic.

7. **Conclusion**: Conclude by stating that the source of the first antibiotic is *Penicillium notatum*.

**Final Answer**: The microbe that is the source of the first antibiotic is *Penicillium notatum*.

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