Penicillium Mold

Penicillium chrysogenum

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Phylum Ascomycota

Family Trichocomaceae

Conservation Not applicable - common worldwide

Complete Taxonomy

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Ascomycota

Class: Eurotiomycetes

Order: Eurotiales

Family: Trichocomaceae

Genus: Penicillium

Species: P. chrysogenum

Description

Penicillium chrysogenum is the fungus that changed human history. Alexander Fleming's 1928 discovery that this mold produced antibacterial compounds led to the development of penicillin, the world's first mass-produced antibiotic. This discovery revolutionized medicine, saving countless millions of lives. The species is also a common indoor mold, growing on various organic materials.

Physical Characteristics

Cap Shape: Microscopic; forms blue-green powdery colonies

Cap Color: Blue-green to gray-green colonies

Size: Colonies can spread to cover large areas; individual structures microscopic

Gill Attachment: N/A - microscopic mold

Spore Print: Blue-green (masses of conidia)

Stipe: Microscopic conidiophores with characteristic brush-like structure

Habitat: Decaying organic matter, soil, food, indoor environments

Fruiting Season: Year-round when conditions favorable

Distribution

Cosmopolitan; found worldwide

Habitat

Ubiquitous saprotroph on decaying organic matter, soil, food products, indoor environments. Prefers moderate temperatures and moisture.

Ecological Role

Decomposer of organic matter in soil and various substrates. Important in nutrient cycling. Can be a food spoilage organism.

Medicinal & Nutritional Properties

Source of penicillin antibiotics
Revolutionized treatment of bacterial infections
Saved millions of lives since 1940s
Led to development of semi-synthetic penicillins
Foundation for modern antibiotic development

Cultural Significance

Among the most important organisms in human history. Fleming's discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in 1945. Mass production during WWII transformed warfare medicine. Symbol of scientific serendipity and medical progress.

Fascinating Facts

Fleming discovered it by accident on a contaminated petri dish in 1928
Mass production during WWII saved countless soldiers' lives
Original strain produced low penicillin; modern strains yield 1,000x more
Strain improvement used classical mutation and selection for decades
Genome fully sequenced to understand antibiotic production
Name means "golden-yellow Penicillium" referring to colony color
Brush-like spore structures inspired the name (Latin penicillus = little brush)