Penicillium
Definition
Noun: 1. A genus of fungi: A group of mold fungi that commonly appear as green, blue, or white fuzzy growths on decaying organic matter like food. 2. A source of biotechnology: Certain species within this genus are critically important for producing antibiotics (specifically penicillin) and for fermenting foods, most notably in the creation of some cheeses.
Usage Examples
- The bread was covered in a blue-green penicillium mold and had to be thrown away.
- The specific strain is the primary industrial source of the antibiotic penicillin.
- The characteristic veins in blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola, are created by introducing penicillium cultures during the cheesemaking process.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Classification: The term is capitalized when used as the formal genus name: . In this context, it is often followed by a species name (e.g., ).
- The species Penicillium camemberti is essential for producing the white rind on Camembert cheese.
Variants and Related Words
- Penicillin (n): The groundbreaking antibiotic substance derived from fungi of the genus.
- The discovery of penicillin revolutionized modern medicine.
Synonyms
- Mold (n): A more general term for various types of woolly fungal growths, which includes .
- Fungus (n): The broader biological kingdom to which belongs.
Noun
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genus of fungi commonly growing as green or blue molds on decaying food; used in making cheese and as a source of penicillin
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