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Why did Napoleon III ask Louis Pasteur to investigate wine contamination?
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Louis Pasteur
In the 19th century Louis Pasteur's work established the germ theory of disease, proving that microorganisms cause fermentation and sickness, which led to the development of pasteurization, aseptic techniques in medicine, and effective vaccines for diseases such as rabies. (Painting by Albert Edelfelt, 1885.)
In 1863, Emperor Napoleon III requested that Louis Pasteur investigate the issue of wine contamination because the French wine industry was facing a potential collapse.1
The industry was suffering from significant production problems and spoilage that occurred during the export and transport of wine. By studying the contamination, Pasteur discovered that it was caused by microbes. He subsequently developed a procedure—now known as pasteurization—which involved heating the wine to between 50–60 °C (120–140 °F) to kill the bacteria responsible for the spoilage. This intervention successfully saved the industry by ensuring the stability of the product.12