Aspergillus Black Mold

Aspergillus begins as a white mycelium similar to Penicillium, but as conidia mature, the colony develops a black coloration. Microscopically, conidiospores are borne in chains at the apex of flask to knob-shaped vessicles called sterigmata. A. niger plays an important role in rot, particularly in warm climates. This feature has led to its description as the hot weather mold. Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Acetobacter represent the important members the summer bunch rot complex. 

Aspergillus glaucus is an important osmotolerant mold found growing on high-sugar (low A ) substrates such as jams and concentrate. 

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Cyclo(Ala-Leu) Aspergillus niger Fungus (black mold) ... 

Black mold (Aspergillus niger). (After Duclaux.)... 

Aspergillus niger, the common black mold, has been cultured commercially for its ability to... 

Extraction of the common black mold Aspergillus niger removes an intracellular polysaccharide which is a linear chain of D-glucypyranose units joined alternately by a-1— and a-1— 5 bonds 125). 

The glucamylase from Rhizopus delemar has been purified free from a-amylase and, later, crystallized. Activity was optimal at pH 4.5 and was diminished by calcium ions (compare, a-amylases). With amylose, amylopectin, glycogen, and soluble starch, the conversion into D-glucose exceeded 90% " and, since residual dextrins were not formed, amyloly-sis was not impeded by the (1 6)-interchain linkages. Enzymes showing similar activity are also produced by black-koji mold (Aspergillus awamori (Kawachi))" and the bacterium Clostridium acetohutylicum ... 

Molds are hlamentous microorganisms, that is, the cells stay attached to each other to form long hlaments. Many molds can form spores, which are generally different in colors, depending on the kind of mold. Species of Aspergillus often form black spores, while Penicillium is recognized by blue or green spores. Mold spores serve the purpose of reproduction, but they are not resistant to heat or chemicals. 

Over 100 years ago, Raulin (1869) demonstrated that zinc was necessary for the growth of a black bread mold, Aspergillus niger. Subsequently, the essentiality of zinc was established for highly developed plant life (Sommer and Lipman 1926), and animals (Todd et al. 1934). 

Bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) Black widow spider (Latrodectus sp.) Mold (Aspergillus flauus)... 

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