What does penicillium mean?
Penicillium names a large genus of fungi, many of which appear as blue-green or green moulds on food, damp materials, and decaying organic matter. Its members reproduce through spores and are found worldwide. The genus is especially important in medicine and food production: certain species produce penicillin and related antibiotics, while others are used in the ripening of cheeses such as blue cheese. Scientific writing normally capitalizes Penicillium because it is a taxonomic genus name and may italicize it when the full scientific name is given. The name can also be used more broadly to refer to a fungus belonging to this genus. Although the most famous connection is the antibiotic penicillin, first obtained from Penicillium moulds, not every species of the genus has antibiotic-producing properties, and the genus includes many harmless food moulds as well as species with other uses.
nounPenicillium is a genus of fungi, many species of which produce spores and grow as moulds on decaying food and other organic material. Some species are economically important in producing antibiotics and cheeses.
- A genus of ascomycete fungi that commonly forms blue-green or green moulds and produces abundant spores.
"The blue-green mould growing on the cheese was identified as a species of Penicillium."
"Researchers examined the Penicillium cultures to determine their antibiotic-producing ability."
"The specimen belonged to Penicillium, a widespread genus of fungi found on food and decaying material."
The plural refers to distinct organisms belonging to the genus or to multiple members of the genus.
"Several penicillia were isolated from the spoiled fruit."
A tiny Penicillium mould helped give humanity one of medicine's most important antibiotics: penicillin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of penicillium
The name comes from modern Latin, from penicillus, a diminutive of拉丁词 pensulus meaning “brush.” The brush-like form refers to the arrangement of the fungus's spores. The same Latin root underlies penicillin, penicillate, and several other scientific terms connected with brush-like structures.
How penicillium is actually used
The name is conventionally written with an initial capital letter because it is a scientific genus name. In general writing, Penicillium is normally followed by a species name rather than treated as an everyday common noun.
Easily confused with penicillium
Penicillium is the genus of mould from which penicillin is obtained, whereas penicillin is the antibiotic drug itself.