Aspergilus is a genus among few hundred-mold
species that are found in nature throughout the world. It was
catalogued first of all by an Italian priest and biologist named
Pier Antonio Micheli in the year 1729. When Micheli was observing
this mold under his microscope, the shape of this mold reminded
him of the shape of holy water sprinkler that is Aspergillus
and he named the genus according to it. In present, the aspergillum
is also a name of asexual spore forming structure that is common
to the aspergilli. Among all the spices throughout the world
about one third of the spices are known to have sexual stage.
The aspergillus is the kind of species that are highly aerobic
in nature. These are found in all the environments that are
rich in oxygen. These species grow normally as molds on surface
of substrate and these are a result of high oxygen tension.
In general, these molds grow on the substrates that are rich
in carbon. The examples of such substrates are polysaccharides
such as amylose and monosaccharides such as glucose. The aspergillus
species are such contaminates that are common in the starchy
foods. The examples of starchy food are potato and bread.
This species also grow on different kinds of plants and trees.
Along with having growth on the carbon sources, there are
some species of this genus that demonstrate logography. In
this situation, these are able of having growth in those environments
that are depleted of nutrition. In addition, these can also
grow in those environments that are lacking in the key nutrients.
The main example of such species is A. Niger. This is that
species that can be found on damp walls. It is found as a
main component of the mildew.
The Aspergillus is important in both aspects, medical and
commercial. Some species of aspergillus can result in infection
in human beings and animals. Some of the infections that are
caused by these species in the animals are being studied by
the scientists since past few years. Some of the spices that
are found in animals are newly described by the scientists
and are related to investigation of specific diseases. In
addition, there are some species that are already known for
use for the organisms such as saprophytes. Above 60 species
of this genes are pathogens that are medically proven. There
are number of diseases in the human beings that are caused
by some of these species such as skin lesions, infections
in the external ear and ulcers such as mycetomas.
Some species are important in relation to the commercial
microbial fermentations. The examples of such species are
alcoholic beverages, for example, Japanese sake is normally
made from rice and other kind’s starchy ingredients instead
of malted barley and grapes. The typical microorganisms that
are used for making alcohol that are yeasts of genus saccharomyces
are unable to ferment these kinds of starches. This is the
reason that the koji mold like aspergillus oryzae is used
for breaking down the starches into simpler sugars. The members
of this genus are source of natural products that can be used
in development of medicines for the treatment of some human
diseases.
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