The first amino acid discovered was asparagine, isolated in 1806 by Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin and Pierre Jean Robiquet, two French chemists.
While many amino acids were subsequently discovered throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the discovery of asparagine marks the beginning of the understanding of amino acids. These compounds are fundamental to the structure and function of proteins, playing vital roles in biology. The early work by Vauquelin and Robiquet laid the groundwork for further research that led to the identification of other amino acids and our comprehension of protein chemistry.
Here’s a breakdown of their discovery:
- Initial Discovery:
- In 1806, Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin and Pierre Jean Robiquet isolated a novel compound from asparagus.
- They named this compound asparagine, which is considered the first amino acid ever discovered.
- This crucial discovery established the existence of amino acids.
The table below outlines the key details of this important discovery:
| Discoverers | Year | Amino Acid Discovered | Source | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin and Pierre Jean Robiquet | 1806 | Asparagine | Asparagus | The first amino acid to be identified, paving the way for protein chemistry. |
Thus, while many scientists contributed to the discovery of the 20 common amino acids, the initial discovery of asparagine is credited to Vauquelin and Robiquet.
