MAILLARD
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One of its
search essential is the synthesis of polypeptides. During ten years,
MAILLARD will work intensely on the chemical synthesis of peptides,
linear and cyclic. It seeks the natural mechanism of the protéogenèse in
the alive beings, says it, but its secret thought is the hope to
discover the true structure of proteins. It uses glycerol as agent of
condensation and search for other polyols. It replaces glycerol by
sugars and it is during this work that it observes an unexpected fact:
the reducing function of sugars carries it of much on that their
hydroxyls.
Forsaking
its program, however higher scientific importance, it studies and describes the
phenomena occurring when amino sugars and acids are heated together. The
reaction of Maillard was born. The merit unanimously granted to Maillard is
to have studied in a systematic way the reaction which bears its name. It
defined the methods and the consequences of them on a very wide physicochemical
level. Thanks to his exceptional qualities of man of laboratory, in only one
publication, Louis Camille MAILLARD determines contours of his reaction in a
masterly and final way. No dispute was never formulated in its opposition and no
scientist in the world could not assert a suspicion of paternity of it.
The communication of Louis Camille, pronounced by professor
A. GAUTIER, the vingt-sept November 1911, "the action of sugars on the amino
acids " passes unperceived in spite of its interest. MAILLARD itself, when
it speaks about the importance of its discovery, does not suspect of it at any
time the extent and the real range. It has a presentiment of however that it put
the finger on something of essence. For proof, it will join together into 1
volume entitled "Genesis of organic materials and the proteins" (in 8°,
XI, 423 pages, editions MASSON, 1913), all the publications known on this
subject. It offers this book to the Company of Biology.
This discovery of the most scientific interest will fall
into the lapse of memory. However, there is not any doubt that it is this
reaction which will make pass Louis Camille MAILLARD to the posterity.
In 1936, Senior LEBLANC and his pupil ETTORI speak about his work on peptides by regarding it as an essential oeuvre. Professor GIBERTON stresses the importance of this discovery. They cannot then imagine the considerable development and the growing rise which the reaction of Maillard will know, simple observation made in 1911 during this study.
to see the scientific pages devoted to the reaction