Trichocomaceae

Trichocomaceae is a family of fungi in the phylum Ascomycota, class Eurotiomycetes, order Eurotiales. The family comprises a diverse group of filamentous fungi commonly found in soil, decaying plant material, stored foods, and indoor environments. The best-known members are the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, which include species of major industrial, medical, and agricultural importance.

Morphology and life cycle: Most Trichocomaceae species are hyaline, septate molds that produce conidiophores with a vesicle bearing phialides, from which chains of conidia are formed. They reproduce asexually by conidiospores; many species also have sexual stages that form asci within cleistothecia (teleomorphs). The taxonomy historically included different morphs under separate names, but molecular data now link them within a single family.

Ecology, uses, and risks: They decompose a broad range of substrates and play important roles in nutrient cycling. In industry, Penicillium and Aspergillus species are used in cheese production (Penicillium camemberti, P. roqueforti) and enzyme/organic acid production; Penicillium chrysogenum is the source of penicillin. However, certain species can contaminate food and indoor environments and produce mycotoxins (for example, aflatoxins from Aspergillus flavus and ochratoxins from Aspergillus and Penicillium species). Some Aspergillus species are opportunistic human pathogens, notably Aspergillus fumigatus.

Taxonomy note: Classification within Eurotiales has shifted with molecular phylogenetics, and the circumscription of Trichocomaceae has changed as new data emerge.