This document discusses the fungus Aspergillus. It begins with an overview of Aspergillus and how some species can cause food spoilage or intoxication. It then discusses how Aspergillus is an important genus of molds found worldwide. While most people are naturally immune, some Aspergillus species can cause infectious diseases in humans like aspergillosis, an infection of the lungs. The document concludes that Aspergillus has both harmful and beneficial roles as some species produce toxins while others secrete industrially useful enzymes.

1. FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
ASPERGILLUS
Submitted to – Poonam Sharma Submitted by
– Anuharsh gaur

2. Overview
 The helping hand
 The topic(aspergillus)
 The pathogenic part
 The doctor part
 Industrially helpful
 Conclusion
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3. Basic information about
topics subordinating
“ASPERGILLUS”

4. Food Spoilage And Intoxication
 Food Spoilage – Spoilage is the process in
which food deteriorates to the point in which it
is not edible to humans or its quality of edibility
becomes reduced.
 Food Intoxication- It is the process of injection
or consumption of food which is already been
infected by toxins and other microorganism
 v

5. What is FUNGI ??
 A fungi is part of group of eukaryotic organisms
that includes unicellular microorganism such as
yeast and molds as well as multi cellular familiar
organisms such as mushrooms
 These organisms has its own separate kingdom,
“FUNGI” due to its distinctive characteristics which
separate from other eukaryotic life kingdoms
such as Plants and Animals.
 Common Fungi are Pink Waxcap, Coral Tooth,
Pig’s ear
 Fungi can be useful or infectious as it can be
responsible for food intoxication or food
production
v

6. ASPERGILLUS

7. History
 Aspergillus was first catalogued in 1729 by Italian
Priest and Biologist Pier Antonio Micheli
 Micheli was reminded of the shape of an
aspergillum (holy water sprinkler), from Latin
spargere (to sprinkle), and named the genus
accordingly
 The first known case of infection was in a jackdaw in
1815 and in a human in 1842.
 In the 19th century it was an occupational hazard
amongst wig combers when it caused allergic disease
of the lungs.
 a

8. The Aspergillum similarity

9. What is Aspergillus ?
 It is a genus of around 200 fungi (moulds)
found worldwide
 Only a few of these moulds can cause illness
in humans and animals. Most people are
naturally immune and do not develop disease
caused by Aspergillus. However, when
disease does occur, it takes several forms.
 a

10. s
Aspergillus flavus

11. Some Scientific Stuff…
 Kingdom : Fungi
 Division : Ascomycota
 Class : Eurotiomycetes
 Order : Eurotiales
 Family : Trichocomaceae
 Genus : Aspergillus
 a

12. Growth and Distribution
 Aspergillus is found mainly in asexual state but
some of them are known to have sexual state
 Members of this genus has ability to grow in
high osmotic condition(like high sugar and
salt)
 These species are highly aerobic and found
easily in high oxygen conditions
 Apart from it they are able to grow in nutrient-
depleted conditions example aspergillus niger
 a

13. s
Aspergillus Fumigatus

14. Why is Aspergillus important ?
The following slide will throw light on positive
and negative aspects of the fungi (aspergillus)
- Some aspergillus are harmful for living beings
and produce MYCOTOXINS
- Some are good as they produce industrially
beneficial enzymes
- Some can act as harmful pathogens causing
infectious diseases to humans and animals
- v

15. Where is aspergillus found ?
 Its natural habitat is hay and compost
 These are daily born and we breathe in about
100-200 spores daily
 Some species withstand heat example-
Aspergillus fumigatus (pathogenic type) these
are commonly found in compost.
v

16. Common availability
 Soil
 Air; spores may be inhaled
 Water / storage tanks in hospitals etc
 Food
 Compost and decaying vegetation
 Fire proofing materials
 Bedding, pillows
 Ventilation and air conditioning systems
 Computer fans
 v

17. a
Aspergillus through air

18. Which species of aspergillus are
pathogens ?
 The most common causing invasive disease
are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus
flavus.
 The most common causing allergic disease
are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus
clavatus.
Image of aspergillus calvatus -
 a

19. Aspergillus as pathogen in man:
Aspergillosis

20. Aspergillosis
 Aspergillosis is a group of diseases caused by
Aspergillus. The symptoms – fever, a cough, chest pain
or breathlessness occur in many other illnesses so
diagnosis can be hard. Usually only patients with
already weakened immune systems or who suffer other
lung conditions are susceptible.
 In man the major forms of disease are:
1. Allergic aspergillosis (affects asthma, cystic fibrosis and
sinusitis patients).
2 . Acute invasive aspergillosis (risk increases if patient has
weakened immunity such as some cancer patients and those
on chemotherapy).
3. Disseminated invasive aspergillosis (widespread through
body).
a

21. a
The lung infection

22. The Symptoms
 A fungus ball in the lungs may cause no symptoms and may
be discovered only with a chest X-ray, or it may cause
repeated coughing up of blood, chest pain, and occasionally
severe, even fatal, bleeding. A rapidly
invasive Aspergillus infection in the lungs often causes cough,
fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
 Poorly controlled aspergillosis can disseminate through the
blood stream to cause widespread organ damage. Symptoms
include fever, chills, shock, delirium, seizures and blood clots.
The person may develop kidney failure, liver
failure (causing jaundice), and breathing difficulties. Death
can occur quickly.
 Aspergillosis of the ear canal causes itching and occasionally
pain. Fluid draining overnight from the ear may leave a stain
on the pillow. Aspergillosis of the sinuses causes a feeling of
congestion and sometimes pain or discharge.
 s

23. Diagnosis
 Imaging test. A chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan — a type of X-
ray that produces more-detailed images than conventional X-rays do — can
usually reveal a fungal mass (aspergilloma), as well as characteristic signs of
invasive and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
 Respiratory secretion (sputum) test. In this test, a sample of your sputum is
stained with a dye and checked for the presence of aspergillus filaments. The
specimen is then placed in a culture that encourages the mold to grow to help
confirm the diagnosis.
 Tissue and blood tests Skin, sputum and blood tests may be helpful in confirming
allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. For the skin test, a small amount of
aspergillus antigen is injected into the skin of your forearm. If your blood has
antibodies to the mold, you'll develop a hard, red bump at the injection site.
Blood tests look for high levels of certain antibodies, indicating an allergic
response.
 Biopsy: In some cases, examining a sample of tissue from your lungs or sinuses
under a microscope may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis of invasive
aspergillosis.

24. The Treatment
 The current medical treatments for aggressive invasive
Aspergillosis include voriconazole and liposomal
amphotericin B in combination with surgical debridement.
 For the less aggressive allergic bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis findings suggest the use of oral steroids for a
prolonged period of time, preferably for 6–9 months in allergic
aspergillosis of the lungs. Itraconazole is given with the
steroids, as it is considered to have a "steroid sparing" effect,
causing the steroids to be more effective, allowing a lower
dose.
 Other drugs used, such as amphotericin B, caspofungin (in
combination therapy only), flucytosine (in combination
therapy only), or itraconazole, are used to treat this fungal
infection
 s

25. Aspergillus as a pathogen
in animals
 All domestic mammals, birds and numerous
wild species can get aspergillosis.
 Birds such as penguins and falcons when
stressed by malnutrition or capture are particularly
susceptible to aspergillosis.
 Spores of Aspergillus fumigatus cause lung
infections – leading to death.
 Aspergillus fumigatus spores are often present on
the surface of eggs after laying. The spores may
penetrate the shell pores and contaminate newly
hatched chicks.
 s

26. s
Aspergillus fungal infection in animals

27. Aspergillus species secrete a number
of enzymes with important industrial
uses –
 Genetically modified A. oryzae is used for the
large scale production of lipases used in
biological washing powders.
 A.niger is used in the commercial production
of citric acid, which is widely used in the food
industry
 Fermentation of genetically modified
A.oryzae is the major source of recombinant
chymogen which is used to curdle milk to
make hard cheeses
 s

28. Aspergillus Mycotoxins
 Mycotoxins are chemical products of fungi that have the
capacity to damage animal health and contaminate
crops.
 Repeated aflatoxin ingestion in man has been linked to
liver cancer.
 Mycotoxins (aflatoxins) produced by Aspergillus
parasiticus and A. flavus are commonly found to
contaminate corn, peanuts, and other crops used for
animal feedstuff. High temperature and humidity
increase chances of contamination.
 Turkey ‘X’ syndrome - in 1960, 100,000 turkeys died in
the South of England, from liver damage after
consumption of peanuts contaminated with A. flavus.

29. CONCLUSION

30. Aspergillus is a remarkable member of the
fungal kingdom, with a wide diversity of
uses and effects on mankind
 In the environment it plays a role in both the Carbon and
Nitrogen cycles and in the breakdown of organic
material into compost
 It is a pathogen and allergen in humans and animals
 Aspergillus nidulans has played a crucial role as a
genetic model including identifying the genes
responsible for alkaptonuria
 The biotechnology industry has harnessed it’s potentially
useful enzymes for the food industry and commercial
uses
a

31. That’s all folks
Thanks for your
patience