Penicillium is Inactivated by Germicidal UV Light

What is Penicillium?

The mold generically referred to as Penicillium was first discovered and formally identified by German botanist Johann Link in his published work of 1809 entitled, “Observations in natural plant orders.” Identifying three species, P. candidum, P. expansum, and P. glaucum, he noted that the defining characteristic of the molds were their brush-like tufts at the end of their fertile branches — hence the Latin name which translates “painter’s brush.” Since that time, roughly 300 speciesopen_in_new of Penicillium have been identified.

The Bad

Penicillium is among the five most commonopen_in_new outdoor fungi, which are easily brought indoors on people’s clothes, taking up residence wherever moist, organic material is available to feed on. It thrives in the air, dust, and on surfaces of interiors like homes and buildings — spoiling foods like bread and produce, attacking the bulbs of plants, and even causing damage to oils and lubricants. It is easy to identify by its strong, musty odoropen_in_new. It is known to be one of the most prevalent wall colonizers in water-damaged buildings, growing on wallpaper, drywall, and ceiling tiles.

Where is it Found?

Bunches of grapes — Contaminated Fruit & Vegetables

Sliced bread with mold on it — Contaminated Bread

Wall with Penicillium mold on it — Water-damaged places or items

What can it infect?

Woman with urinary tract showing — Kidneys

Woman with nose and throat showing through skin — Sinuses

Man with lungs and upper respiratory tract showing — Lungs

How can you get it?

Nose breathing in Penicillium droplets — Breathing in

Woman eating a large piece of bread with Penicillium mold — Eating spoiled food

The Ugly

Many of the Penicillium species produce mycotoxinsopen_in_new, a highly toxic pathogen which frequently causes disease and even death in humans and animals. Breathing in spores of this microorganism typically results in minor afflictions of the respiratory system such as coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and itching. It can also attack the pulmonary system, exacerbating breathing issues for allergy and asthma sufferers. In rare cases, it can be extremely dangerous to humans, predominantly attacking the kidneys, and in some cases causing neurotoxicity and canceropen_in_new. Penicillium causes the disease Talaromycosis (Penicilliosis).

The Good

Despite its pathogenic nature, Penicillium boasts several beneficial uses. Some members of the genus produce the life-saving antibiotic molecule, Penicillinopen_in_new. One of the first medications to prove effective in fighting the bacterial infections Staphylococci and Streptococci, Penicillin is still widely used today. However, many bacterial strains have developed immunities as a result of its overuse. Numerous Penicillium molds are used as a crucial ingredient in the production of cheesesopen_in_new such as bleu cheese, roquefort, and brie. It is used to improve the taste of some sausages and hams, and to hinder the growth of other molds and bacteria. It has also been used in the beer and wine industriesopen_in_new as a flavoring, coloring, and debittering agent.

Preventing the Spread of Penicillium

The spread of Penicillium can be minimized by:

Maintaining adequate air ventilation/filtration to dispel airborne spores
Proper humidity control
Discarding of fruits and vegetables beyond their shelf life
Disinfection of objects and surfaces that are or could become contaminated
Using gloves when cleaning the mold
Avoiding inhalation of spores
Taking care of leaky pipes or water damage immediately to hinder a mold outbreak

Get More Protection with UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, germicidal ultraviolet (UV-C) air and surface disinfection can inactivate Penicillium in the baking industry, food processing, greenhouses, and cannabis drying rooms. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Learn about these applications:

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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.

Penicillium : Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:	Alternate Name:	Type:	Disease:	*UV Dose:**
Penicillium expansum	Blue mold	Mold	Talaromycosis (Penicilliosis)	38 mJ/cm²
Penicillium polunicum		Mold	Talaromycosis (Penicilliosis)	80 mJ/cm²

* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.

People at High Risk of Infection

Penicillium, if inhaled, is a nuisance to most, but can be a killer to some. While most people suffer minor, short-term sinus related infections, those pre-disposed to allergies and asthma will be affected more severely.

You’re more likely to contract an infection from Penicillium if you:

Have contact with an infected individual or substance
Are an allergy or asthma sufferer
Spend long amounts of time in damp places
Accidentally eat spoiled fruit, vegetables, or bread

Penicillium Symptoms

The most common symptoms associated with Penicillium are as follows:

Cough
Sneezing
Itching of eyes
Low grade fever

Shortness of breath
Runny nose
Fatigue

Possible Complications from Penicillium

Some Penicillium infections can cause:

Keratitis
Endophthalmitis
Otomycosis
Pneumonia

Endocarditis
Urinary tract infections
Neurotoxicity
Cancer

Sources on Penicillium

The above information can be found on the following pages.

Dosage Source

Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.

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