Progress in Industrial Microbiology: v. 22

The degradative activity of the filamentous fungi and the products of their metabolism are utilized in many and varied research and industrial areas. Species identification and knowledge of life cycles are therefore necessary for further research and for the use of these organisms. This book describes and illustrates 31 species of the order Mucorales (primarily genera Absidia, Mucro, Rhizopus and others), 126 species of the order Moniliales (primarily representatives of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium) and 2 species of Mycelia sterilia. A genus-organized key precedes each group and in more abundant genera even species-organized keys are included. Of the several thousand species of the microscopic fungi, only the saprophytic or semiparasitic organisms occurring as contaminants in the food industry, agriculture and medicine are included. In all these areas, saprophytic moulds and filamentous fungi are considered, from the point of view both of deterioration of products and of their hygienic and health hazards. Therefore, descriptions are also supplemented by remarks on ecology and biochemical properties, including production of mycotoxins.
 
The degradative activity of the filamentous fungi and the products of their metabolism are utilized in many and varied research and industrial areas. Species identification and knowledge of life cycles are therefore necessary for further research and for the use of these organisms. This book describes and illustrates 31 species of the order Mucorales (primarily genera Absidia, Mucro, Rhizopus and others), 126 species of the order Moniliales (primarily representatives of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium) and 2 species of Mycelia sterilia. A genus-organized key precedes each group and in more abundant genera even species-organized keys are included. Of the several thousand species of the microscopic fungi, only the saprophytic or semiparasitic organisms occurring as contaminants in the food industry, agriculture and medicine are included. In all these areas, saprophytic moulds and filamentous fungi are considered, from the point of view both of deterioration of products and of their hygienic and health hazards. Therefore, descriptions are also supplemented by remarks on ecology and biochemical properties, including production of mycotoxins.