Aspergilus is a genus among few hundred-mold species that are found in nature throughout the world. It was catalogued first of all by an Italian priest and biologist named Pier Antonio Micheli in the year 1729. When Micheli was observing this mold under his microscope, the shape of this mold reminded him of the shape of holy water sprinkler that is Aspergillus and he named the genus according to it. In present, the aspergillum is also a name of asexual spore forming structure that is common to the aspergilli. Among all the spices throughout the world about one third of the spices are known to have sexual stage.
The aspergillus is the kind of species that are highly aerobic in nature. These are found in all the environments that are rich in oxygen. These species grow normally as molds on surface of substrate and these are a result of high oxygen tension. In general, these molds grow on the substrates that are rich in carbon. The examples of such substrates are polysaccharides such as amylose and monosaccharides such as glucose. The aspergillus species are such contaminates that are common in the starchy foods. The examples of starchy food are potato and bread. This species also grow on different kinds of plants and trees.
Along with having growth on the carbon sources, there are some species of this genus that demonstrate logography. In this situation, these are able of having growth in those environments that are depleted of nutrition. In addition, these can also grow in those environments that are lacking in the key nutrients. The main example of such species is A. Niger. This is that species that can be found on damp walls. It is found as a main component of the mildew.
The Aspergillus is important in both aspects, medical and commercial. Some species of aspergillus can result in infection in human beings and animals. Some of the infections that are caused by these species in the animals are being studied by the scientists since past few years. Some of the spices that are found in animals are newly described by the scientists and are related to investigation of specific diseases. In addition, there are some species that are already known for use for the organisms such as saprophytes. Above 60 species of this genes are pathogens that are medically proven. There are number of diseases in the human beings that are caused by some of these species such as skin lesions, infections in the external ear and ulcers such as mycetomas.
Some species are important in relation to the commercial microbial fermentations. The examples of such species are alcoholic beverages, for example, Japanese sake is normally made from rice and other kind’s starchy ingredients instead of malted barley and grapes. The typical microorganisms that are used for making alcohol that are yeasts of genus saccharomyces are unable to ferment these kinds of starches. This is the reason that the koji mold like aspergillus oryzae is used for breaking down the starches into simpler sugars. The members of this genus are source of natural products that can be used in development of medicines for the treatment of some human diseases.