The term mold originates from daily life and is not a taxonomic. name of a single systematic group (Reiss 1997; Killerand Morelet 1000). The Deuteromycetes (fungi imperfecti) constitute an artificial group and comprise a great variety of 20,000 -30,000 species of 1,700 genera of I-1 phomycetes and 700 genera of Coelomycetes. The different molds have a broad spectrum of physiological response with regard to temperature, water activity, pH value etc. and thus can colonize and damage very diverse materials (molding). Molds are significant in view of damages to foodstuffs, deterioration of natural materials (leather, books, textiles, wallpapers), Nv t h regard to human and animal health, and for biochemists and the manufacturers of antibiotics [77) of about 3,200 admitted antibiotics Originate from fungi: Muller and Loeffler (1991)], organic acids e.g., citronic acid, malic acid: Rehm (1980)1, enzymes (e.g., amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, pectinase), cheese (Peni...
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