Rhizopus stolonifer

''Rhizopus stolonifer'' is commonly known as white bread mold. It is a member of ''Zygomycota'' and considered the most important species in the genus '' Rhizopus''. It is one of the most common fungi in the world and has a global distribution although it is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is a common agent of decomposition of stored foods. Like other members of the genus ''Rhizopus'', ''R. stolonifer'' grows rapidly, mostly in indoor environments.

History

This fungus was first discovered by the German scientist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1818 as ''Rhizopus nigricans''. The name was changed in 1902 to ''Rhizopus stolonifer'' by the French mycologist J. P. Vuillemin.

Habitat and ecology

''Rhizopus stolonifer'' is a worldwide distributed species. It is found on all types of mouldy materials. It is often one of the first molds to appear on stale bread. It can exist in the soil as well as in the air. A variety of natural substrata are colonized by this species because ''R. stolonifer'' can tolerate broad variations in the concentration of essential nutrients and can use carbon and nitrogen combined in diverse forms.

In the laboratory, this fungus grows well on different media, including those that contain ammonium salts or amino compounds. However, ''R. stolonifer'' will not grow on Czapek's agar because it cannot utilize nitrogen in the form of nitrate. Rhizopus lives in hyphae and matured spores.

Growth and physiology

This species is known as a saprotroph and plays an important role in the early colonization of substrata in soil. Nonetheless, it can also behave as a parasite of plant tissues causing a rot of vegetables and fruits. Like other species of ''Rhizopus'', ''R. stolonifer'' grows rapidly and spreads by means of the stolons. The stolons provide an aerial structure for the growth of the mycelium and the occupation of large areas. They can climb vertically as well as horizontally. Sporangiophores of ''R. stolonifer'' can be up to 2.5 mm long and about 20 μm in diameter. The spores are shaped differently depending on the available nutrients. They can be ovate, polygonal or angular. The optimal temperature for growth varies between 25 and 30 °C. The thermal death point, which is defined as the lowest temperature that can kill all cells in ten minutes, is 60 °C. ''Rhizopus stolonifer'' can grow in acidic environments with a pH of as low as 2.2. The pH range can vary from 2.2 to 9.6. Ultraviolet irradiation can delay spore germination.

Reproduction

''Rhizopus stolonifer'' can reproduce asexually and sexually. It is a heterothallic species. Sexual reproduction occurs when compatible mating strains are paired, ultimately giving rise to zygospores. The sporangiophore contains both '+' and '−' mating type strains. Meiosis is delayed until the germination of the zygospores. The gametogenia often differ in size, regardless of mating type. This difference in size is not due to sex but presumably due to nutrition.

Disease and prevention

The disease caused by this fungus occurs mainly on ripe fruits, such as strawberries, melon and peach, which are more susceptible to wounds and have a higher sugar content. After a couple of days, the infected fruits become soft and release juices with an acidic odour. When the humidity and temperature are favourable, the mycelial growth occurs rapidly at the surface of the infected fruit and the disease causes the development of long mycelial stolons with black sporangia and spores. When the fungus germinates, it produces different kinds of esterases, including cutinase, which help the fungus to penetrate the plant cell wall. The disease can also affect other adjacent healthy fruits when distributed by wind or insect activity.

Some species of ''Syncephalis'' can reduce the asexual reproduction of ''R. stolonifer'' and therefore may delay or even prevent the post-harvest disease caused by this fungus. Fengycin, which is an anti-fungal complex, also induces the fungal cell death via necrosis and apoptosis. The treatment of sweet potatoes with sodium orthophenyl phenol (Stopmold B) and dichloran (Botran W) have effectively reduced storage rot.

''Rhizopus stolonifer'' is an opportunistic agent of disease and hence will only cause infection in people with a weakened immunity. Zygomycosis is the main disease that might be caused by this fungus in humans and while it is not entirely understood yet, this disease is very dangerous and can be fatal. The action of smelling spoiled food may be a source of inhalation exposure to the mold.

Importance

''Rhizopus stolonifer'' is important economically as an agent of post-harvest storage decay.

While ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' is the most important source of industrial alcohol, ''R. stolonifer'' and other species of ''Rhizopus'' also produce ethyl alcohol which is the most important fermentation product. ''Rhizopus stolonifer'' is also used commercially to manufacture fumaric acid and lactic acid of high purity. The presence of zinc reduces the amount of fumaric acid produced by the fungus.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1500736

Mucoraceae
Fungi described in 1818