Rhizopus

<i>Rhizopus</i>

Rhizopus

Genus of fungi


Rhizopus is a genus of common saprophytic fungi on plants and specialized parasites on animals. They are found in a wide variety of organic substances, including "mature fruits and vegetables",[2] jellies, syrups, leather, bread, peanuts, and tobacco. They are multicellular. Some Rhizopus species are opportunistic human pathogens that often cause fatal disease called mucormycosis. This widespread genus includes at least eight species.[3][4]

Rhizopus 400x magnification

Quick Facts Rhizopus, Scientific classification ...

Rhizopus species grow as filamentous, branching hyphae that generally lack cross-walls (i.e., they are coenocytic). They reproduce by forming asexual and sexual spores. In asexual reproduction, sporangiospores are produced inside a spherical structure, the sporangium. Sporangia are supported by a large apophysate columella atop a long stalk, the sporangiophore. Sporangiophores arise among distinctive, root-like rhizoids. In sexual reproduction, a dark zygospore is produced at the point where two compatible mycelia fuse. Upon germination, a zygospore produces colonies that are genetically different from either parent.

Various species, including R. stolonifer, may cause soft rot in sweet potatoes and Narcissus.

Rhizopus helps in nutrient development since this species is grown in soil it ferments the fruits and vegetable in the soil inhibiting the growth and develops certain pathogens that inhibits the growth of toxigenic fungus.[5] In addition to that, there is even a type of Rhizopus (Rhizopus microsporus-fermented soybean tempe) that has proven to reduce colon carcinogenesis in rats by elevating factors of mucins, immunoglobulin A, and organic acids and give protection to piglets from Escherichia coli-infection by inhibiting adhesion to the intestinal membranes. [6]

Phylogeny

The mating analysis has also been found which was comparative that this species structure is flexible in comparison with other species in the same genus. The topology length of the species genome is found to be three times bigger with the species.[7]

Species

See also


References

  1. "Rhizopus Ehrenb. 1820". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  2. Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi (10th ed.). Wallingford, UK: CABI. p. 599. ISBN 978-0-85199-826-8.
  3. Zheng RY, Chen GQ, Huang H, Liu XY (2007). "A monograph of Rhizopus". Sydowia. 59 (2): 273–372.
  4. Dwi Endrawati, Dwi Endrawati. "Several Functions of Rhizopus sp on Increasing Nutritional Value of Feed Ingredient". June 2017.
  5. Gryganskyi, Andrii P; Golan, Jacob; Dolatabadi, Somayeh; Mondo, Stephen; Robb, Sofia; Idnurm, Alexander; Muszewska, Anna; Steczkiewicz, Kamil; Masonjones, Sawyer; Liao, Hui-Ling; Gajdeczka, Michael T; Anike, Felicia; Vuek, Antonina; Anishchenko, Iryna M; Voigt, Kerstin; de Hoog, G Sybren; Smith, Matthew E; Heitman, Joseph; Vilgalys, Rytas; Stajich, Jason E (1 June 2018). "Phylogenetic and Phylogenomic Definition of Rhizopus Species". G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics. 8 (6): 2007–2018. doi:10.1534/g3.118.200235. PMC 5982828. PMID 29674435.



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