From biology lessons we all know about the kingdom of fungi.On the ground, there are an incredibly large number of representatives of this great family, which includes more than one hundred thousand species.Mushrooms are very different from each other: in appearance, habitat, there are poisonous mushrooms and edible, dangerous and useful.But what unites them, that all mushrooms have mycelium and mycelium.And, as is known, it is also a mold fungus.In this article, we will focus on this fungus is Mucor.We it is more known as white mold.And each of us probably more than once to meet her, perhaps even in the kitchen.Mucor fungus lives in the upper soil layers, as well as organic products.He also loves dark, damp and warm places.If you leave the kitchen a small piece of bread, then after a while it forms a fluffy white fur, which eventually turns gray - it is the same fungus Mucor.If you look closely, you can see its structure.But it is good to consider part of the fungus Mucor will be possible only under a microscope.
fungus Mucor: structure
It belongs to the genus of the lower mold, the class Zygomycota.It is an aerobic fungus, that is life and reproduction it needs oxygen.Its mycelium is not divided into cells, but has many nuclei.This class includes more than sixty species.All varieties of this species of fungi, as discussed above, are found in the upper layers of soil, food, horse manure, organic residues.Molds Mucor is a parasite.His body resembles a thin, colorless hair or cobwebs - a mycelium.Despite the fact that the body of the mycelium strongly proliferating, in fact, is a single cell that contains many nuclei.On thin branches of the mycelium (hyphae) formed head black (sporangia).They are controversial.
breeding and feeding
propagated by the fungus Mucor two ways: sexual and asexual.The first method is more complicated, because the ripening process to spawn sporangia longer.Shell sporangium called callose.It is highly resistant to external aggressive environment.But under the influence of atmospheric moisture is destroyed, releasing the light of billions of spores.The latter are so small in size that can penetrate anywhere.They are always present in the air.Because, under favorable conditions mold appears everywhere.In sexual reproduction mycelium strands are connected, forming a zygote.So there is a new fungus.Mucor - fungus saprophyte ie it feeds prepared with organic substances.It is also called mushroom-scavenger as it does not remain after the organic waste.Sometimes, these fungi appear on still alive, but sick body after death which remains will be completely redesigned.
danger fungus Mucor
This fungus can be dangerous for both people and animals.In humans, some species of mold can exacerbate diseases such as mucormycosis.Small spores are dangerous for people with allergies.We are familiar with Mucor beekeepers.Because hives - the ideal environment for living and intensive breeding of the parasite.If time does not handle the hives, you can lose a large amount of bees, as the fungus Mucor causes many diseases.More because of the infection by the parasite grains, vegetables and fruits of humanity is losing a large amount of food.
applications in medicine and food industry
Certain types of fungus, on the contrary, are very useful for humans.So, it is prepared from certain antibiotics (ramitsin).Still, this fungus is used in food industry as a leaven (yeast Chinese).With him doing "pace", "tofu", produce potato alcohol.
How to prevent contamination of the products with mold
Of course, care must be taken to ensure that foodstuffs are not exposed to contamination by fungi.Apart from the fact that it is dangerous, expensive and cost more.You do not leave it near a good food leftovers.Keep track of the level of humidity in the room.Leaving for a long time, do not leave food.And if on the product at first glance still suitable for human consumption, there was mold, it can not eat.
