Dr. Szent-Gyorgyi was more than a pioneer of biochemistry -- he was

a " father " of biochemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in

Medicine in 1937 for his discovery of the biological oxidation

process with special regard to vitamin C and fumaric acid catalysis.

In 1928 he isolated what he at first called " hexuronic acid, " but is

now called " ascorbic acid " or vitamin C.

He also " discovered " the muscle protein actin, actomyosin and their

relationship to ATP.

He discovered the C4 dicarboxylic acid catalysis that forms the

basis of the Krebs cycle which was pioneering research on how food

is converted into energy.

His keen mind and bright ideas opened the doors to many areas of

biochemical research. He taught us so much, yet he was often labeled

a " maverick " because of his new ideas.

Dr. Szent-Gyorgyi always professed that his discovery of the

biological function of bioflavonoids was serendipitous.

He found something he did not seek.

While he was trying to isolate vitamin C, his colleague Professor

I. (St.) Rusznyak had a patient with subcutaneous capillary

bleedings.

They thought that vitamin C might help, so they gave the patient an

impure preparation that contained vitamin C plus other compounds.

They achieved a rapid success.

Later, a similar patient was treated with a pure solution of

vitamin C expecting quicker success,but instead, the pure solution had NO effect.

So they went back to the impure solution.

Dr Szent-Gyorgyi suspected that a flavone might be the key factor.