Penicillium expansum

Penicillium expansum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Aspergillaceae
Genus: Penicillium
Species:
P. expansum
Binomial name
Penicillium expansum
Link, (1809)
Synonyms
  • Penicillium crustaceum Link, (1809)
  • Penicillium glaucum Stoll, (1809)

Penicillium expansum is a psychrophilic blue mold that is common throughout the world in soil.[1] It causes Blue Mold of apples, one of the most prevalent and economically damaging post-harvest diseases of apples.

Though primarily known as a disease of apples, this plant pathogen can infect a wide range of hosts, including pears, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, and rice. Penicillium expansum produces the carcinogenic metabolite patulin, a neurotoxin that is harmful when consumed.[2] Patulin is produced by the fungus as a virulence factor as it infects the host. Patulin levels in foods are regulated by the governments of many developed countries. Patulin is a particular health concern for young children, who are often heavy consumers of apple products. The fungus can also produce the mycotoxin citrinin.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference kearneysville was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Morales H, Marín S, Rovira A, Ramos AJ, Sanchis V (January 2007). "Patulin accumulation in apples by Penicillium expansum during postharvest stages". Lett Appl Microbiol. 44 (1): 30–5. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006.02035.x. PMID 17209811. S2CID 5764456.