penicillium definition

<fungus>

<mycology> A genus of fungi (class Ascomycetes, order Aspergillales), species of which yield various antibiotic substances and biologicals; e.g., citrinum yields citrinin; Penicillium claviforme, Penicillium expansum, and Penicillium patulum yield patulin; Penicillium chrysogenum yields penicillin; Penicillium griseofulvum yields griseofulvin; Penicillium notatum yields penicillin and notatin; Penicillium cyclopium and Penicillium puberulum yield penicillic acid; Penicillium purpurogenum and Penicillium rubrum yield rubratoxin. Penicillium marneffei is a true pathogen in Southeast Asia and in the bamboo rats.

Origin: see penicillus

(05 Mar 2000)