Penicillium - Definition and Overview

Penicillium
SEM image (1200x)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Euascomycetes Order: Eurotiales Family: Trichomaceae Genus: Penicillium
Species
Penicillium notatum Penicillium glaucum Penicillium candida Penicillium roqueforti Penicillium marneffei > Penicillium bilaiae

Penicillium or bread mold is a genus of fungus that includes:

• Penicillium notatum which produces the penicillin antibiotic
• Penicillium glaucum used in making Gorgonzola cheese
• Penicillium candida used in making Brie and Camembert cheese, also see candida
• Penicillium roqueforti used in making Roquefort and Danish Blue cheese
• Penicillium marneffei a thermally dimorphic species endemic in Southeast Asia, which is a problem in AIDS patients.
• Penicillium bilaiae is an agricultural inoculant.