Penicillium sp General Information

one of the most commonly found molds. Often produces microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC's) that give the distictive heavy, musty odor.

Penicillium sp Species Information

 

Aw 0.78 - 0.88. A wide number of organisms have placed in this genera.

200+ species. Ubiquitous, Cosmopolitan

 

Where is Penicillium sp found?

 

Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose and grains. It is also found in paint and compost piles.

It is commonly found in carpet, wall paper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation.

Often found growing outside in soil, decaying plant debris, compost piles and fruit rot.

Often found growing indoors on water damaged building materials (chipboard/OSB, plywood, wallpaper, glue) as well as on food items (dried foods, cheeses, fruits, herbs, spices, cereals)

 

Is Penicillium sp Allergenic?

 

This mold can be a potential allergen. Some people may experience hay fever, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis: cheese washer's lung, woodman's lung, moldy wall hypersensitivity.

It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It is reported to be allergenic (skin).

 

Toxins Produced by Penicillium sp

 

Some species can produce mycotoxins.

This mold produces toxins which include: penicillic acid, peptide nephrotoxin, viomellein, xanthomegin, xanthocillin X, mycophenolic acid, roquefortine C & D, citrinin, penicillin, cyclopiazonic acid, isofumigaclavine A, penitrem A, decumbin, patulin citreoviridin, griseofulvin, verruculogen, ochratoxin, chrysogine, and meleagrin.

 

Penicillium sp Health Effects

 

Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immeadiate-type hypersensitivity: type I. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

It is rare that this mold presents any pathogenic human risks but it can.

 

Penicillium sp Uses

 

Used in roquefort and camembert cheese, salami-sausages starter culture; anti-bacterial antimicrobial penicillin, and anti-fungal antimicrobial griseofulvin.

 

How to test for / identify the presence of Penicillium sp

 

Identification to species is difficult. Often found in aerosol samples.

This mold can be identified via air sampling but is indistinguishable from the Aspergillus species.

This mold can be easily identified if sporulating structures are observed, otherwise may be indestiguishable from Aspergillus species

 

Is Penicillium sp a "black mold"