ASPERGILLUS NIGER

'''Aspergillus niger''' is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus ''Aspergillus''. It causes a disease called black mold on certain fruits and vegetables such as grapes, onions, and peanuts, and is a common contaminant of food. It is ubiquitous in soil and is commonly reported from indoor environments, where its black colonies can be confused with those of ''Stachybotrys'' (species of which have also been called "black mold"). Common and important species of fungi and actinomycetes in indoor environments. In: Microogranisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments, Samson RA, Houbraken J, Summerbell RC, Flannigan B, Miller JD, , , New York: Taylor & Francis, 2001, ISBN
Some strains of ''A. niger'' have been reported to produce potent mycotoxins called ochratoxins, Ochratoxin A production by strains of Aspergillus niger var. niger, Abarca M, Bragulat M, Castellá G, Cabañes F, , , Appl Environ Microbiol, 1994 but other sources disagree, claiming the latter report is based upon misidentification of the fungal species. Recent evidence suggests some true ''A. niger'' strains do produce ochratoxin A.^[1]

Contents

Taxonomy

Pathogenicity

Plant disease

Human and animal disease

Industrial uses

Other uses

Genetics

References

External links

Taxonomy

''A. niger'' is included in ''Aspergillus'' subgenus ''Circumdati'', section ''Nigri''. The section ''Nigri'' includes 15 related black-spored species that may be confused with ''A. niger'', including ''A. tubingensis'', ''A. foetidus'', ''A. carbonarius'', and ''A. awamori''. Identification of common Aspergillus species, Klich MA, , , Utrecht, The Netherlands, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, 2002, ISBN 90-70351-46-3 New ochratoxin A or sclerotium producing species in Aspergillus section Nigri, Samson, RA, Houbraken JAMP, Kuijpers AFA, Frank JM, Frisvad JC, , , Studies in Mycology, 2004 A number of morphologically similar species were recently described by Samson ''et al''.

Pathogenicity

Plant disease

''A. niger'' causes black mold of onions. Infection of onion seedlings by ''A. niger'' can become systemic, manifesting only when conditions are conducive. ''A. niger'' causes a common postharvest disease of onions, in which the black conidia can be observed between the scales of the bulb. The fungus also causes disease in peanuts and in grapes. The spore comes to common trees such as maple.

Human and animal disease

''A. niger'' is less likely to cause human disease than some other ''Aspergillus'' species, but if large amounts of spores are inhaled, a serious lung disease, aspergillosis can occur. Aspergillosis is particularly frequent among horticultural workers who inhale peat dust, which can be rich in ''Aspergillus'' spores. Less commonly, it has been found on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs and can be inhaled when the area is disturbed. ''A. niger'' is one of the most common causes of otomycosis (fungal ear infections), which can cause pain, temporary hearing loss and, in severe cases, damage to the ear canal and tympanic membrane.

''A. niger'' growing in potato dextrose agar

Industrial uses

''A. niger'' is cultured for the industrial production of many substances. Various strains of ''A. niger'' are used in the industrial preparation of citric acid (E330) and gluconic acid (E574) and have been assessed as acceptable for daily intake by the World Health Organisation.
Many useful enzymes are produced using industrial fermentation of ''A. niger''. For example, ''A. niger'' glucoamylase is used in the production of high fructose corn syrup, and pectinases are used in cider and wine clarification. α-galactosidase, an enzyme that breaks down certain complex sugars, is a component of Beano® and other medications which the manufacturers claim can decrease flatulence. Another use for ''A. niger'' within the biotechnology industry is in the production of magnetic isotope-containing variants of biological macromolecules for NMR analysis.

Other uses

In 2006 it was reported that a secreted RNase produced by ''A. niger'' called ''actibind'' has antiangiogenic and anticarcinogenic characteristics.
''A. niger'' is also cultured for the extraction of the enzymes glucose oxidase (GO) and Alpha-galactosidase (AGS). Glucose oxidase is used in the design of glucose biosensors, due to its high affinity for β-D-glucose.^[2] Alpha-galactosidase is produced by fermenting Aspergillus niger; it is used to hydrolyze alpha 1-6 bonds found in melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose.
Reactions between flour and water will cause severe food discoloration, and if consumed by the human body raw, severe sickness can ensue. If used in food that is cooked to be consumed, it may cause vomiting and mild fevers. If you are alergic to mold, and you consume black mold in any way shape or form, seek immediate medical consulting immediately.

Genetics

The genomes of two different ''A. niger'' strains have been fully sequenced. Genome sequencing and analysis of the versatile cell factory Aspergillus niger CBS 513.88, Pel H, de Winde J, Archer D, ''et al'', , , Nat Biotechnol, 2007

References

1. On the safety of Aspergillus niger - a review, E. Schuster, N. Dunn-Coleman, J. Frisvad, P. van Dijck, , , Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2002
2. Staiano, Maria, Paolo Bazzicalupo, Mose' Rossi, and Sabato D'Auria. “Glucose biosensors as models for the development of advanced protein-based biosensors.” Molecular BioSystems 1 (2005): 354-362.

External links

★ ''Aspergillus'' website (Manchester University, UK)

★ ''Aspergillosis'' information (Center for Disease Control)

★ World Health Organisation report on ''Aspergillus niger''