What is so special about the fungus Penicillium?

Penicillium sp. Some members of the genus produce penicillin, a molecule that is used as an antibiotic, which kills or stops the growth of certain kinds of bacteria. Other species are used in cheesemaking. According to the Dictionary of the Fungi (10th edition, 2008), the widespread genus contains over 300 species.

Where is Penicillium naturally found?

Penicillium are very commonly found in soil, on decaying vegetation and compost or on wood, dried foodstuffs, spices, dry cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables {808, 3095}they are also found growing on building materials in water-damaged environments {413} as well as in indoor air and house dust.

What is the classification of Penicillium?

EurotiomycetesPenicillium / ClassThe Eurotiomycetes are a class of ascomycetes within the subphylum Pezizomycotina.
Some members of the Eurotiomycetes were previously grouped in the class Plectomycetes. Wikipedia

Is Penicillium mold harmful?

What Are the Health Effects? Like many molds, Penicillium can threaten those with weak or compromised immune systems, causing allergic reactions or infections. Some species produce mycotoxins which are known carcinogens. Others species cause measurable organ damage when inhaled.

Is Penicillium harmful to humans?

As frequent agents of food spoilage, Penicillium molds can be hazardous to human health. This is because some species of Penicillium produce toxic compounds known as mycotoxins (10). More than thirty different toxic compounds have been isolated from Penicillium ssp. contaminated foods, both human and animal (11).

Is Penicillium black mold?

Penicillium – This mold genus includes hundreds of species, some of which are used to produce the antibiotic penicillin. It is a blue-green mold that many people have seen growing on food. Some Penicillium species produce airborne spores that can act as allergens and asthma triggers for sensitive people.

What type of fungi is penicillin?

Penicillium fungi
Penicillin, derived from the Penicillium fungi, became the first mass-produced antibiotic in the 1940s.

What does Penicillium do to humans?

Can Penicillium cause human infection?

Penicillium marneffei is an emerging pathogenic fungus that can cause a fatal systemic mycosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Can Penicillium mold make you sick?

Like many molds, Penicillium can threaten those with weak or compromised immune systems, causing allergic reactions or infections. Some species produce mycotoxins which are known carcinogens. Others species cause measurable organ damage when inhaled.

Can penicillin mold make you sick?

There are hundreds of species of mold. Some of those species are less dangerous, like penicillin, which has antibacterial properties and is used in antibiotic medication. But others could make you sick. “Though small amounts of mold probably won’t hurt us, there is no species of mold that is ‘safe’ when inhaled.

Is penicillin made from moldy bread?

In fact, this is not true!! It is important to distinguish antibiotic from penicillin when growing bread yeast because they have some icanty effect, but it is not penicillin. A narrow type of fungi (Penicillium fungi) is needed for penicillin.

What are the symptoms of Penicillium?

Symptoms

• Fever.
• General discomfort.
• Weight loss.
• Cough.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Swelling of the liver and spleen.
• Diarrhea.

Is Penicillium common in homes?

PENICILLIUM MOLD SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS Penicillium is a common both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors it can be found growing in soil, decaying plant debris, and fruit rot. Indoors it can be found growing on water damaged building materials as well as on food items.

What are the symptoms of exposure to Penicillium aspergillus mold?

Signs and symptoms depend on which organs are affected, but in general, invasive aspergillosis can cause:

• Fever and chills.
• A cough that brings up blood (hemoptysis)
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest or joint pain.
• Headaches or eye symptoms.
• Skin lesions.