ARS | Publication request: The current status of species recognition and identification in Aspergillus

Submitted to: Studies in Mycology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: November 20, 2007
Publication Date: December 15, 2007
Citation: Klich, M.A., Frisvad, J.C., Peterson, S.W., Varga, J., Geiser, D.M., Samson, R.A. 2007. The Current Status of Species Recognition and Identification in Aspergillus. Studies in Mycology. 59:1-10.

Technical Abstract: The genus Aspergillus is a large economically important genus of fungi. In agriculture, some of the 250 species in this genus cause disease in plants and animals and some also produce poisons (mycotoxins) in foods and feeds. Aspergillus is a major killer of immunosuppressed people, such as diabetics and cancer patients. On the other hand, Aspergillus is the source of the anticholesterol drug Lipitor, is used in food and beverage production, and is a source of a number of important acids (e.g. citric acid - lemon lime flavor in soft drinks) and enzymes (e.g. phytase, lipase, etc.). It is important that all users understand how and why the systematics of the genus is changing for everything from routine identification to patents. This paper is an attempt to present the current thinking on Aspergillus systematics.