Jean Pierre Joseph d'Arcet
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Jean Pierre Joseph d'Arcet (31 August 1777 – 2 August 1844) was a French chemist. He was a son of the chemist Jean Darcet. He was among the first to efficiently extract gelatin from bones.[1] He suggested its use as a nutritional supplement for the poor. His son Felix (1807–1846) also became a chemist.
Life and work
D'Arcet was born in Paris, the son of Jean Darcet. Educated initially at the Collège de France where his father worked, he then became a student of Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin. He worked in the mint and was involved in metallurgical experiments. He also began to conduct private research and found a way to efficiently extract gelatin from bones.[2] He received a patent in 1814 for the manufacture of bone glue and broth. His gelatine supplement was introduced as a diet in the Saint-Antoine Hospital by the Duke of La Rouchefoucald-Liancourt. It was also introduced for army troops. By 1831, several physicians opposed the merits of food gelatin.[3] He also worked on bronze alloy compositions.[4] He served as master of the Paris mint until his death.[5][6]
D'Arcet married Claire Choron and they had three children, Félix, Louise and Pauline.[7] Felix became a chemist[8] and Louise (1814–1885) married the sculptor James Pradier (1792–1852) and was a model for Gustave Flaubert's character Emma in Madame Bovary.[3]