Question

I need finding any interesting information about Mold which is type of fungus that’s related to food. Make sure to include references please.

Answer 1

A mold  is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.

Molds are a large taxonomically diverse number of fungal species in which the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food. Network of these tubular branching hyphae, called a mycelium, is considered a single organism. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. Cross-walls (septa) may delimit connected compartments along the hyphae, each containing one or multiple, genetically identical  nuclei.

• The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse production of asexual spores (conidia) formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds. Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life-cycle.
• Molds are considered to be microbes and do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota. In the past, most molds were classified within the Deuteromycota.
• Molds can cause biodegradation of natural materials, which can be unwanted when it becomes food spoilage or damage to property. They also play important roles in biotechnology and food science in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and enzymes.

{Rrefrence --http://prestige-em.com/tech/AirborneFungalSporesByCulture.htm}

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Molds are generally categorized in one of three ways.

• Mold may be allergenic, which means it is unlikely to cause illness (though it may aggravate mild allergies);
• Pathogenic, which means it can cause infection in those with compromised immune systems;
• Toxigenic, which means it is toxic to all who come in contact with it.

BENEFITS OF MOLDS

• Molds and fungi are used to make modern medicines, most notably penicillin, which is made from mold.

Drawbacks​

• Mold can be parasitic to food supplies and some types of plants.
• Of all 100,000 species of mold, only about 80 are considered harmful to humans. These 80 species are linked to many different allergies and respiratory problems, however. Mold growth can also damage buildings, discolor possessions, and cause a musty, unpleasant odor.

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Food Molds

What are food molds?

Food mold feeds itself by producing chemicals that make the food break down and start to rot. As the bread rots, the mold grows. There are thousands of different kinds of molds.

• One mold that grows on lemons looks like a blue-green powder.
• A mold that grows on strawberries is a grayish-white fuzz.
• A common mold that grows on bread looks like white cottony fuzz at first. If you watch that mold for a few days, it will turn black. The tiny black dots are its spores, which can grow to produce more mold.

  

Are Molds Dangerous

Yes, some molds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. And a few molds, in the right conditions, produce mycotoxins, poisonous substances that can make you sick.

Mycotoxins? --Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain molds found primarily in grain and nut crops, but are also known to be on celery, grape juice, apples, and other produce.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that 25% of the world’s food crops are affected by mycotoxins, of which the most notorious are aflatoxins.

Cheese Molds:---Some cheeses are eaten only after they become moldy! Blue cheese gets its flavor from the veins of blue-green mold in it. When a blue cheese is formed into a wheel, holes are poked through it with thin skewers. Air gets into these holes, and a very special kind of mold grows there as the cheese ripens. If mold develops, cut away one inch on each side of the cheese and use the remainder as soon as possible.

How Can You Protect Food from Mold-

When serving food, keep it covered to prevent exposure to mold spores in the air. Use plastic wrap to cover foods you want to stay moist .

Don’t leave any perishables out of the refrigerator more than 2 hours.

Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days so mold does not have a chance to grow.

How Should You Handle Food with Mold On It

When you see moldy food:

Do not sniff the moldy item. This can cause respiratory trouble.

If food is covered with mold, discard it. Put it into a small paper bag or wrap it in plastic and dispose in a covered trash can that children and animals can not get into.

Clean the refrigerator or pantry at the spot where the food was stored.

Check nearby items the moldy food might have touched.

Mold spreads quickly in fruits and vegetables..

(Reference)--http://www.madsci.org/FAQs/micro/molds.html

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