Stamen Grigorov

Bulgarian microbiologist who discovered Lactobacillus bulgaricus, revolutionizing yogurt production and probiotic science

Dr. Stamen Grigorov (1878–1945) made an extraordinary contribution to food science and human health through his discovery of Lactobacillus bulgaricus in 1905. While working at the Medical University of Geneva, this Bulgarian researcher identified the essential bacterial strain responsible for fermenting yogurt – a staple food in Balkan cuisine for centuries.

His breakthrough enabled:

• Industrial-scale yogurt production
• Scientific understanding of probiotics
• Modern dairy preservation techniques

Grigorov's work gained recognition from Nobel laureate Ilya Mechnikov, who later proposed yogurt as key to longevity. Today, Bulgaria's National Yogurt Culture Institute preserves his legacy through ongoing microbial research.

Beyond yogurt, Grigorov developed early antibiotic treatments during WWI and studied tuberculosis. His tuberculosis vaccine formula remained in use until the 1970s.