Penicillium is very popular considering the fact that is found all over the world. Despite being an unwanted plant, it has also its fair share of advantages. The most common one is its significant role in the production of modern antibiotic.
Most people are well aware of penicillin, an antibiotic produced from Penicillium. This antibiotic has been able to treat various bacterial infections. It was discovered by the famous Alexander Fleming. Up to date, penicillin still plays a vital role in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Penicillium has a famous species known as Penicillium digitatum. It belongs to the mesophilic fungus which are popular in citrus producing soil. It is known for its ability to cause fruit decay. Also, it causes green mold or green rot in Citrus.
It reproduces asexually via conidiophores. It can be produced in laboratories but under the supervision of skilled scientists. This is because it requires great care during its growth and development. For that reason, not just any random person can create.
Effects of Penicillium Digitatum
It has several effects both positive and negative. To some extent, it is very useful. However, you also have to be wary of its side effects which are very hazardous. Below are some of the benefits that Penicillium digitatum has brought to mankind:
Food industry
The food sector is very important. That is why intensive research is being done in order to come up with a lasting food security solution.
In that connection, a lot of components are used to create new food supplements, genetically engineered foods, and great food alternatives. Penicillin digitatum assists in the creation of immunologically inspired mycological discovery assays needed in the food sector.
Sometimes the food people consume can be unsafe. It can be contaminated with a lot of components such as fungi, dirt, debris and other food contaminants.
Consuming such food brings about some dire consequences. Fortunately, It is efficient when it comes to detecting some food contaminants. It is used in the creation of latex agglutination kits. These kits detect penicillium species and Aspergillus that might be present in foods.
Negative effects
a) In Humans
Most species that come from Penicillium are not known for causing human diseases. However, that does not rule out the fact that penicillium species can cause some dangerous diseases. For instance, Penicillium digitatum causes mycosis in human beings. Nevertheless, the possibilities of mycosis in human beings are extremely low.
It becomes hazardous especially when you take contaminated fruits or air. Such occurrences can cause extracellular polysaccharide in human beings. It can be avoided by breathing fresh air and taking clean and fresh fruit.
People have several allergies that are induced differently. It is evident in various clinical allergy testing formulations. These formulations can confirm that P. digitatum has the ability to cause allergies in human beings. Furthermore, it is one of the serious causes of Pneumonia.
b) Plants
Most of the foods that people consume come from plants. This means that plants are crucial sources of food. Therefore, plants need to be protected and tended to well. There are various threats to the growth and sustainability of plants.
One of the common threats is Penicillium digitatum. It is associated with Citrus decay. P. digitatum happens to be the main contributor to the loss of citrus to infections. Normally it infects citrus fruits with mold or green rot hence consuming the entire fruit.
However, this increased loss of citrus immediately after being harvested can easily be controlled. There are a number of practices that one should undertake to curb the green rot in Citrus fruits.
Citrus fruits have to be handled properly once they have been harvested. The fruits should be stored in low temperatures/high humidity conditions. Harvesting should be done before rainfall or irrigation to prevent fruits from being vulnerable to peel injuries.
Conclusion
Penicillium has remained useful over the years. This is true in relation to the usefulness it has brought in the treatment of bacterial infections. Not all species of Penicillium are that useful.
Some are the reason why there are food security and human diseases such as allergies and pneumonia. This is where Penicillium digitatum falls. First, it causes decay in citrus immediately after the fruits have been harvested. For that reason, great care has to be directed towards handling those fruits.
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Read More Here: Penicillium Digitatum
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