Occurrence and identification of Penicillium and Talaromyces species from beach sand

Aims@#Penicillium and Talaromyces were among the species of microfungi that inhabit beach sand in Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang Island, Malaysia. Previously, Talaromyces was described as the sexual stage of Penicillium, but both are now accepted as separate genera based on molecular phylogeny. The aim of the present study was to identify species of Penicillium and Talaromyces that are present in beach sand in Malaysia.@*Methodology and results@#Species identities were confirmed according to similarities of the internal transcribed spacer regions and β-tubulin gene sequences and a phylogenetic analysis based on both regions/gene. Nine Penicillium spp. were identified as P. georgiense, P. chermesinum, P. pimiteouiense, P. citrinum, P. oxalicum, P. daleae, P. rolfsii and Penicillium sp. and the four Talaromyces spp. were T. siamense, T. atroroseus, T. minioluteus and T. fusiformis.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#These findings showed that beach sand harboured a variety of Penicillium and Talaromyces species. The occurrence of Penicillium and Talaromyces in beach sands is associated with the organic matter in the sand, which provides suitable substrates and nutrient sources. Due to this, beach sand might harbour many potentially pathogenic or opportunistic species that may pose a health concern to immunocompromised individuals.

Occurrence of microfungi on several dried fruits

Aims: Dried fruits may harbour a variety of fungi especially those that can grow in low water activity conditions. Knowledge on the occurrence of fungi on dried fruits is an important step to predict the possibility of mycotoxin contamination, thus the present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins. Methodology and results: Based on morphological characteristics, six genera of fungi comprising eight species, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium corylophilum, P. glabrum, Chaetomium globosum, Fusarium sacchari, Acremonium strictum and Mycelia sterilia were identified. Three most commonly species isolated were A. niger (19 isolates), P. corylophilum (seven isolates) and A. flavus (five isolates). The less common species were C. globosum (three isolates), Mycelia sterilia (three isolates), A. strictum (one isolate) and P. glabrum (one isolate). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Common mycotoxin producer are the fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The occurrence of toxigenic fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins suggested that some of these fungi may be an important source of mycotoxin contamination.

The First Report of Penicillium georgiense in Malaysia

Penicillium georgiense was isolated from sandy beach soil from Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, Malaysia. The identification was based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer regions and beta-tubulin sequences. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. georgiense in Malaysia.