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| Penicillium expansum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Eurotiomycetes |
| Order: | Eurotiales |
| Family: | Aspergillaceae |
| Genus: | Penicillium |
| Species: | P. expansum
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| Binomial name | |
| Penicillium expansum Link, (1809)
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| Synonyms | |
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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.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
kearneysvillewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 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.