Explain the Penicillium - Fungi?
Classification
Kingdom - Mycetae
Division - Amastigomycota
Class - Ascomycetes
Subclass - Plectomycetidae
Order - Eurotiales
Family - Eurotiaceae
Genus - Talromyces (Penicillium)
Form Class - Deuteromycetes
Form Order - Moniliales
Form Family Moniliacea
Genus - Penicillium
Penicillim is cosmopolitan in distribution. It is called green or blue mould (look of growth or media above) though exists in different colours. Penicillium is used in industries for production of organic acids like oxalic, fumaric and citric acid. It is also a source of antibiotics like Penicillin and Griseofulvin which are produced by P. chrysogenum and P.griseofulvin. In cheese industries Penicillium (example: P. camemberti and P.roqueforti) is employed to impart distinctive flavour and odour to the product. On the other hand, Penicillium damage leather goods, fabrics and wood furniture. It also spoils bread, cheese, butter, jam, jelly and other food stuffs. Some are plant pathogens, e.g., soft rot disease of citrus fruit is caused by P.italicum and P.digitatum. Mycotoxins and ochratoxins are produced on cereal grains by P. viridicatum.