Species/Subspecies: Aspergillus niger
Categories: Animal pathogen; human pathogen; spoilage organism
Etymology: Genus name: to scatter.
Species epithet: black.
Common name: Svartmögel
Significance:A. niger is found all over the world, but is less important as a pathogen in veterinary and human medicine. However, it is important as a spoilage organism.
  [Of minor importance]   
Taxonomy:
PhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
AscomycotaEurotiomycetesEurotialesTrichocomaceaeAspergillus
 
Macromorphology (smell):
Aspergillus niger Aspergillus niger Aspergillus niger 
The colonies are initially white, but the colour turns black after a few days when conidia spores begin to form. The colonies grow all over the plate.
Micromorphology:
Aspergillus nigerAspergillus niger
The conidial spores are dark brown in color and 4-5 µm in diameter.
Metabolism: Aspergillus spp. are aerobic and chemorganotrophic organisms. They are extremely important in degrading organic matter in nature. A. niger is thermotolerant.
Reproduction:
Spec. Char.:
Reservoir: Can be found everywhere in soil.
Disease/effect: Aspergillosis is usually caused by A. fumigatus, but in rare cases A. niger, A.flavus, A. nidulans and A. terreus etc., may also be the causative agent.
Hosts/substrateDisease/effectClinical picture or result
Grapes, coffee beens, corn, onions and many other foods.Black moldSvart beläggning på ytan.
Different animal species including humans.OtomycosisPain, hearing loss, damage to the ear canal and to the eardrum.
Humans (only rarely, but horticultural workers may contract the disease).AspergillosisFever, cough, chest pain, bleeding from the lungs.
Genome Sequence:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/Isolate# of chromSize (Mbp)
GCA_000002855 CBS 513.88 34,0 

Mitochondrial DNA sequence:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of BP
NC_007445 N909 31 103 
Cirkulärt DNA

18S rRNA Seq:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of NT
LC573607 NBRC 31638 1155 

ITS regions:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of NTGenes
NR_111348 ATCC 16888TM 576 18S rRNA, ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA, ITS 2, 28S rRNA 

Taxonomy/phylogeny: Aspergillus is a very large genus, which consists of about 250 species.
Comment:A. niger is used for industrial production of i.a. citric acid and a cheese enzyme (alternative to rennet).
Reference(s): No. 4, 9, 20
Updated:2022-06-22

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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences