Dr Edouard Brochu, A Probiotics Pioneer

Edouard Brochu, a pioneer in probiotics and cofounder of Institut Rosell (Montreal, QC), passed away on July 25, 2007, at the age of 96.

An agronomist and microbiologist born in Saint-Isidore-de-Dorchester, Quebec, Dr. Brochu dedicated his career to the development of lactic acid and probiotic bacteria, and the investigation of their health benefits. Emeritus professor for over 36 years, he taught at the Oka Agricultural Institute, the Université de Montreal, and later at Saint-Hyacinthe’s Agricultural Technology Institute. During his career, Edouard Brochu received numerous honours and distinctions, among others: Commandeur of the Ordre du Mérite Agronomique, and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National, Quebec’s highest honor.As an additional and fitting recognition of his long and brilliant career dedicated to the development and the advancement of scientific knowledge on probiotics, he received a doctorate honoris causa from Laval University. His exemplary career development, his expertise in microbiology, his numerous scientific contributions as well as his sustained commitment towards the promotion of nutrition and health gained Professor Brochu respect from his peers and recognition beyond the boundaries of Canada.

In 1932, Edouard Brochu co-founded the Institut Rosell, an enterprise initially dedicated to research in lactic bacteria. Since then he never stopped devoting time and energy to the Institute, acting as its President or General Manager between 1944 and 1988. True to his reputation of exemplary commitment and perseverance, he continued to take an active part in its development after his partial retirement until his ‘full’ retirement in 2002, and even then later to follow its evolution and share his valuable experience and knowledge with his successors.

The business he co-founded and nurtured, Institut Rosell, is today the Human Health and Nutrition Division of Lallemand, which has established a global reputation with active customers on all 5 continents for its probiotics and other health and nutritional yeasts and bacteria related ingredients .

Dr Brochu was a remarkable man, a highly regarded scientist, a very ‘human’ businessman, teacher and mentor who has dedicated his entire professional life to the advancement of knowledge in lactic acid bacteria and particularly their use as probiotics. His insatiable curiosity, his relentless work, his perseverance, his willingness to listen and help all who called on him, his humanity, and his vision have inspired and will continue to inspire all those who have had the good fortune to have worked with him. Lallemand is immensely grateful for his contribution.