Systematic position
Kingdom-Fungi
Phylum-Ascomycotina
Order-Eurotiales
Family-Trichocomaceae
Genus-Penicillium
Occurrence
Penicillium is a saprophytic fungus. They are commonly known as blue moulds or green moulds. Species of this genus are abundant everywhere, living on various organic substrata like decaying fruits, vegetables, bread, meat jellies and a great variety of moist plant and animal substances. Decaying oranges, lemons and other fruits show a bluish growth on them, which is due to the blue colored spores of Penicillium. Various species of Penicillium, are responsible for economic loss. Some species of Penicillium, have been reported to be associated with animal and human diseases. Penicillium notatum and Penicillium chrysogenum, produce the best known antibiotic, called penicillin.
Vegetative structure
The vegetative body of penicillium is a mycelium which consists of freely branched, hyaline or colored and septate hyphae. The cells of the hyphae are thin walled and contain more than one nucleus. The mycelium may grow superficially forming a weft upon the substrate or penetrate deeply into the substratum for absorbing the nourishment. In P. vermiculatum, the hyphal cells contain usually a single nucleus. In some species, e.g. P. italicum and P. gladioli, the mycelium may form sclerotia.
 |
| Conidiophores of Penicillium species |
