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Aspergillus niger

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Aspergillus niger
Micrograph of A. niger grown on Sabouraud agar medium. 100x magnification.
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Fungi
Phylum:
Ascomycota
Subphylum:
Pezizomycotina
Class:
Eurotiomycetes
Order:
Eurotiales
Family:
Trichocomaceae
Genus:
Aspergillus
Species:
A. niger
Binomial name
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").[1]

Some strains of A. niger have been reported to produce potent mycotoxins called ochratoxins,[2] but other sources disagree, claiming this report is based upon misidentification of the fungal species. Recent evidence suggests some true A. niger strains do produce ochratoxin A.[1][3]

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.[4][5] A number of morphologically similar species were recently described by Samson et al.[5]

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.

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, in particular, frequent among horticultural workers that inhale peat dust, which can be rich in Aspergillus spores. It has been found on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs and can be inhaled when the area is disturbed.[citation needed] 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 on SDA

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. A. niger fermentation is "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration.[6]

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.[7] Alpha-galactosidase can be produced by A. niger fermentation; it is used to hydrolyze alpha 1-6 bonds found in melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose.

Research published in 2006-2008 investigated A. niger prolyl endoprotease (AN-PEP), a microbial-derived prolyl endoprotease which cleaves gluten. This has strong implications in the treatment of Coeliac (Celiac) disease or other metabolic gluten sensitivity disease processes.[8] A placebo controlled, double blind study was initiated in December 2008 to determine the efficacy of this enzyme in treating humans with Coeliac (Celiac) disease.[9]

In the heyday of the opium trade, chandoo opium, which was meant to be smoked, was made by long term fermentation of A. niger and other molds on raw opium.[10]

A. niger is the main agent in the fermentation of Pu-erh tea. [11]

Genetics

The genomes of two different A. niger strains have been fully sequenced.[12]

See also

Template:Fungiportal

References

  1. ^ a b Samson RA, Houbraken J, Summerbell RC, Flannigan B, Miller JD (2001). Common and important species of fungi and actinomycetes in indoor environments. In: Microogranisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments. New York: Taylor & Francis. pp. 287–292. ISBN.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Abarca M, Bragulat M, Castellá G, Cabañes F (1994). "Ochratoxin A production by strains of Aspergillus niger var. niger". Appl Environ Microbiol. 60 (7): 2650–2. PMID 8074536.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Schuster E, Dunn-Coleman N, Frisvad JC, Van Dijck PW (2002). "On the safety of Aspergillus niger--a review". Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 59 (4–5): 426–35. doi:10.1007/s00253-002-1032-6. PMID 12172605. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Klich MA (2002). Identification of common Aspergillus species. Utrecht, The Netherlands, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures. ISBN 90-70351-46-3.
  5. ^ a b Samson, RA, Houbraken JAMP, Kuijpers AFA, Frank JM, Frisvad JC (2004). "New ochratoxin A or sclerotium producing species in Aspergillus section Nigri". Studies in Mycology. 50: pp. 45–6. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Inventory of GRAS Notices: Summary of all GRAS Notices". US FDA/CFSAN. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Mitea C, Havenaar R, Drijfhout JW, Edens L, Dekking L, Koning F (2008). "Efficient degradation of gluten by a prolyl endoprotease in a gastrointestinal model: implications for coeliac disease". Gut. Jan, 57: 25–32.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Mulder, C.J. (December), Effect of Aspergillus Niger Prolyl Endoprotease (AN-PEP) Enzyme on the Effects of Gluten Ingestion in Patients With Coeliac Disease, retrieved 2009-10-07 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  10. ^ Calmette, L.C.A. (1892). "La fermentation de l'opium des fumeurs". Arch. Méd. Navale coloniale. 57: 132–138.
  11. ^ Petro, Mike, Pu-erh, A Westerner's Quest, retrieved 2008-07-10
  12. ^ Pel H, de Winde J, Archer D; et al. (2007). "Genome sequencing and analysis of the versatile cell factory Aspergillus niger CBS 513.88". Nat Biotechnol. 25 (2): 221–31. doi:10.1038/nbt1282. PMID 17259976. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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