Genus Penicillium (Noun)
Meaning
Genus of fungi commonly growing as green or blue molds on decaying food; used in making cheese and as a source of penicillin.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The genus Penicillium includes species such as Penicillium chrysogenum, which is used to produce the antibiotic penicillin.
- Penicillium roqueforti is a species of mold used to give blue cheese its distinctive veining and pungent flavor.
- The genus Penicillium is commonly found growing on decaying fruit and vegetables, particularly in warm and humid environments.
- Species of the genus Penicillium have been used for centuries to make a variety of cheeses, including blue cheese, gorgonzola, and brie.
- The discovery of penicillin from the genus Penicillium revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections in the early 20th century.