Penicillium digitatum (/ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪəm/digitatum/) is a mesophilic fungus found in the soil of citrus-producing areas. It is a major source of post-harvest decay in fruits and is responsible for the widespread post-harvest disease in Citrus fruit known as green rot or green mould.
Is Penicillium digitatum harmful to humans?
Penicillium species are among the most common fungi present in the environment and are usually considered non-pathogenic to humans. However, in immunocompromised hosts they can be virulent pathogens and can cause death.
Is citrus mold harmful?
In some cases, toxins may have spread throughout the food. According to the USDA, soft fruits and vegetables with high moisture content, such as an orange, can be contaminated below the surface. Such fruits and vegetables should be discarded in their entirety if moldy.
What is the green mold on lemons?
As the major postharvest disease of citrus fruit, postharvest green mold is caused by the necrotrophic fungus Penicillium digitatum (Pd), which leads to huge economic losses worldwide. Fungicides are still the main method currently used to control postharvest green mold in citrus fruit storage.
Is green mold harmful?
All molds — green, black, or other colors — can cause health problems, especially in susceptible people. Continuous exposure to mold can affect the respiratory system and trigger asthma attacks and allergens. So yes, if you see green mold, you should remove it as soon as possible.
What happens if you eat Penicillium digitatum?
Mold May Cause Allergic Reactions
Some people have a respiratory allergy to molds, and consuming moldy food might cause these people to have an allergic reaction.
Why do lemons turn to dust?
The type of mold that affects citrus fruits the most are penicillium, alternaria and cladosporium; penicillium is the most common. Less common molds on citrus fruits include trichoderma, geotrichum and rhizopus. When you see a green dust on your lemon, this is penicillium.
Can you wash mold off lemons?
If a lemon or orange shows “only small amounts of mold on the peel, and it looks like it’s just on the surface,” you might try removing the mold with a clean cloth dipped in hot water or vinegar. (“Vinegar is a very good antifungal product,” Dr. Gourama says.)
What kind of mold grows on lemon?
Penicillium digitatum
The species that most commonly cause postharvest spoilage of citrus fruit are Penicillium digitatum (green rot) and Penicillium italicum (blue rot).
Why do my lemons go moldy so fast?
A: As with most fungi, fruit mold thrives in warm, damp environments. If you wash your lemons and set them in a bowl, water will pool at the bottom, which explains why the last lemon standing is usually the one that gets moldy first.
Are the spores from Mouldy fruit harmful if inhaled?
Yes, some molds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
What happens if you breathe in mold from fruit?
Exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus mold can cause an infection/reaction called aspergillosis in some people. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fever.
How do you control green mold on citrus?
Application of salicylic acid resulted in significantly reduction of spore formation and germination of spores of green mould as compared to control. Application of salicylic acid at the rate of 6 mM resulted in complete stoppage and reduction in growth, sporulation and conidial germination resulted by Iqbal et al.
What happens if you touch green mold?
Effects of Touching Mold
Although most mold isn’t toxic, the toxins released by some molds are known to cause skin irritations, rashes, and even fungal infections if an open wound is exposed. Sinus infections and upper respiratory infections can also be linked back to mold exposure.
Can you touch green mold?
All molds – green, white, black or other colors – can cause health problems, especially for at-risk people. Continuous exposure to mold can harm your respiratory system and trigger asthma attacks and allergens. If you unfortunately discover green mold in your home, you should remove it immediately.
What is green powdery mould?
Bright green mold is just a form of fungi that grows in a shade of green, and other variations of this color. Green mold is powdery and fuzzy in texture, and may even appear grey or black in color. Green mold grows and thrives in areas of dampness, humidity, and poor ventilation.
What does Penicillium do to humans?
Diseases that are as a result of Penicillium infection by any Penicillium specie are generally referred to as penicilliosis. Species of this genus have been mentioned in association with infections such as keratitis, endophtalmitis, otomycosis, pneumonia, endocarditis and urinary tract infections [2].
Is Penicillium mold toxic?
Like many molds, Penicillium can threaten those with weak or compromised immune systems, causing allergic reactions or infections. Some species produce mycotoxins which are known carcinogens. Others species cause measurable organ damage when inhaled.
What does Penicillium mold look like?
Whenever you see blue-green mold, think penicillin or another mold within the Penicillium genus. The blue-green color is distinctive though it can come in a variety of shades ranging from dark green with a bluish tinge to brilliant turquoise spores.
When should you not use a lemon?
Discard your lemon if:
- There’s visible mold. Lemons usually go moldy after you cut them up, but if the rind is heavily bruised, it might grow mold too.
- It’s very soft, shriveled, or slimy.
- It’s heavily bruised or discolored.
- It smells funny.
When should you throw out lemons?
Over time lemons lose some of their water and thus lose their firmness. If your specimen yields only slightly to pressure, it’s perfectly fine. But if it’s already shriveled, the rind wrinkly, or the whole fruit squishy, it’s probably best to throw it out for quality reasons.