What is Mold?
Mold is defined as any type of fungi that causes disintegration of organic matter. It thrives on this matter, disintegrating the substance – if organic – that it is situated upon. (organic materials include: paper, dust, cloth, etc.)
Mold can also play an important part in things such as the fermentation of cheeses and organic acids.
There are over 100,000 varieties of fungi known thus far, each with its own characteristics, making it difficult to fight an outbreak.
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The Growth Process of Mold
A penicillin colony will begin looking like a fluffy white mass, almost resembling a cotton ball. A few days later, the colony will turn green, darkening in time. As it is turning green, it is also secreting bright yellow drops of liquid. This liquid is what we call penicillin.
What Causes Mold to Grow and Spread?
Mold reproduces by dispersing a large number of spores, which travel through the air, thus causing spores to be almost everywhere.
Moisture from high humidity of about 70% and high temperatures of about 22 ํC contribute to the growth of mold.
Why Penicillium Notatum (Mold) Grows on Fruit and Bread
Mold forms on food when mold spores land on a surface that will support growth. Once the spores have found a suitable place, they germinate and the mold cells begin to grow and divide until that mold spot has become millions of mold cells (at this stage, the mold is visible).
Mold will grow on almost any kind of food that contains moisture; this is why bread, fruit, cheese, etc. are so prone to having mold grow on them. The foods on which mold grows, have the nutrients to support and encourage growth. The molds then take and use the nutrients in the food for themselves (causing the food to lose its nutritional value).