Aspergillus Niger
Black Mold
Black Mold
Asexual Reproduction by forming conidial spores (Mokobi et al., 2021)
Highly Thermotolerant: Can thrive in extreme temperatures (Mokobi et al., 2021)
Less Likely to cause diseases in humans/animals than other Aspergillus species however can cause pulmonary aspergillosis in people with immune-compromised systems, and can cause otomycosis (fungal ear infection) (Mokobi et al., 2021)
Often isolated from:
House dust, soil, dried nuts, fruits, seeds and untreated textile materials (d’Halewyn & Chevalier, 2016)
Can contaminate:
Meat, eggs, spices, and sun-dried fruit (d’Halewyn & Chevalier, 2016)
Prevalent in residential areas (d’Halewyn & Chevalier, 2016)
Kingdom: Fungi
Domain: Eukaryotic
Class: Euascomycetes
Phylum: Ascomycota
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Trichocomaceae
Genus: Aspergillus
Epithet: Niger
Species: Aspergillus Niger
(d’Halewyn & Chevalier, 2016)
Eukaryotic organisms including yeasts, molds, mushrooms, etc.
Non-vascular and Heterotrophic
Store food in the form of starch
Uses include:
Recycling dead and decayed matter
Food (eg. mushrooms)
Medicinal Purposes (many used to produce antibiotics such as Penicillin
Exploitation of insects/pests
(ByJu's, 2018)
Identification of Aspergillus Species
Using Morphological Characteristics
Experiment Methodoogy:
A total of 275 specimens of 11 different Aspergillus Species were isolated from clinical and environmental areas. The scientists isolated these specimens so that they can observe characteristcs that can be used to identify the different species and also to investigate which species were the most prevalent out of the 11.
Important Information Captured:
Aspergillus Species are frequent causes of invasive fungal infections
At least 30 Aspergillus species have been associated with human diseases
Most common Aspergillus Isolates are A. flavus, A. Niger, A. fumigatus
The incidence of mold infections are increasing despite the widespread use of air filtration systems
Focus from Article:
Characteristics used to Identify A. Niger (size, color, shape, etc.)
How often its specimens were seen or how common the species is (frequency)
(Diba et al., 2007)
A. Niger is the 2nd most common isolated species, having 65 specimens obtained from clinical and environmental areas
Table 1 from Primary Source shows results of specimens obtained from:
Clinical Areas (Hospitals)
Including areas inside hospitals (surgery wards, delivery rooms, ORs, etc.), and areas outside hospitals (air, surfaces of the yard, and garden of the hospital)
Environmental Areas
Including regular outdoors (yard, garden, air), and indoor samples (air, floor, walls, beds, air conditioning)
(Diba et al., 2007)
Size: 400-3000 micrometers
Color: Slightly brown
Surface is smooth walled
Vesicle Serration: Biseriate (arranged in 2 rows)
Metula covers entire surface
Shape: Glubose
Surface: irregularly rough
(Diba et al., 2007)
References:
Diba, K., P, K., SH, M., Rezaie, S., & Mahmoudi, M. (2007). Identification of aspergillus species using morphological characteristics. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/octdec207/article/article9.html
Aspergillus niger. INSPQ. (2016). Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/moulds/fact-sheets/aspergillus-niger
Mokobi, F., Laremruati, & gayyas, M. (2021, July 26). Aspergillus niger- an overview. Microbe Notes. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://microbenotes.com/aspergillus-niger/
Aspergillus. Mycology | University of Adelaide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.adelaide.edu.au/mycology/fungal-descriptions-and-antifungal-susceptibility/hyphomycetes-conidial-moulds/aspergillus#aspergillus-niger-complex
Admin. (2022, September 20). Kingdom fungi- structure, characteristics & classification of fungi. BYJUS. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://byjus.com/biology/kingdom-fungi/
Fungi of Great Britain and Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://fungi.myspecies.info/file-colorboxed/943
Black Mold, aspergillus niger, that occurs in damp, unventilated rooms. 123RF. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.123rf.com/photo_166181031_black-mold-aspergillus-niger-that-occurs-in-damp-unventilated-rooms.html