Olive Green Mold

Greek Root Having the same root as the suffix -chaeta which means long hair. 

Common on fresh manure especially on compost that has been anaerobically pasteurized refuse materials straw leaf mold soils plant debris paper products and cloth Chaetomium fabric. Chaetomium is a rare contaminant of grain and is infrequently seen in agar culture. A white species occurs on the casing layer. Medium Through Which Contamination Is Spread Air soil compost and grain. 

Measures of Control General hygienic practices aerobic pasteurization and Phase II. See Comments. 

Macroscopic Appearance Mycelia inconspicuous at first, grayish and in some species whitish, cottony, dense and aerial (as in White Chaetomium ). Some forms become light brown, yellowish or with orangish hues when well developed. At maturity these molds can become dark green to olive green colored, and form scattered burrs which in fact are perithecia containing spores. 

Microscopic Characteristics Mycelium forming a thin walled envelope (a perithecium) from which unbranched hairs extend. A slit in the perithecium exposes sacs (asci) containing spores which are then liberated into the air. Spores are unicellular, darkly pigmented and can be ovoid, lemon-shaped or ellipsoid. 

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Properties A linear polymer extremely resistant to chemicals and to thermal degradation at molding and extrusion temperature, d 1.4, self-extinguishing, dimensionally stable, very low water absorption, outstanding chemical resistance. Natural, black, or olive-green molding powder. Finely divided powder for coatings. 

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