Neurospora Pink Mold

Neurospora crassa has become a standard species for studying fungal genetics in culture. 

The red bread mold belongs to the Neurospora crassa complex. The pink mold seen in mushroom culture is most frequently Neurospora sitophila. a pernicious contaminant that is difficult to eliminate. 

All infected cultures should be removed as soon as possible from the laboratory and destroyed. A thorough cleaning of the laboratory is absolutely necessary. If contamination persists, remove ail spawn and start anew. Since Neurospora spores are spread via the air, high efficiency Particulate air (HEPA) filters readily eliminate this contaminant. 

Refer to the genus Monilia, an imperfect form of Neurospora. 

Class Fungi Imperfecti Order Mycelia Sterilia Common Name Brown Plaster Mold. Latin Root From papulosus meaning pimple-like and spora or spore. Named in reference to the rounded groups of cells that resemble sclerotia and are characteristic of this genus. 

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Figure 214 Drawing of sporulating structure and distinctive spores of Neurospora, a pink mold.

Macroscopic Appearance Represented by two mutable forms the imperfect form Monilia is generally a fine powdery whitish mold and the perfect form Neurospora is a rapid growing tenacious aerial mold that is pinkish with spore maturity. In grain both the whitish and the pinkish Neurospora are encountered. White Monilia has a remarkable resemblance to finely ground perlite and can easily be mistaken for it. On casing soil, the pink form is more common. Both are very rapid growing. 

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