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Aureobasidium pullulans

STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY

A. pullulans is a black-yeast-like mold that can express many varying morphologies based on growth conditions. Prior to the formation of spores, the mold appears smooth and yellowish, creamy, or light pink. Asexual, melanated spores are eventually formed which gives it a characteristic black color. This fungus is oligotrophic, which means it can survive in environments with little water or nutrients and is ubiquitous in many different environments.

TRANSMISSION AND DISEASE

A. pullulans is primarily considered a plant pathogen that causes decay in various fruits and softening of plant tissues. It has been linked to some infections in humans, primarily found in hospital settings, and can range from cutaneous infections to eye infections.

DISINFECTION

A. pullulans is commonly associated with infection of damaged plant tissue and is seeing increased application in biotechnology.

NOTES

A. pullulans has shown to be effective at inhibiting the growth of other fungal plant pathogens via metabolic production of antifungal compounds. A. pullulans also produces pullulan, a polysaccharide that is edible and biodegradable, which can be used to produce medicine and skin cosmetics.

REFERENCE(S)

Zalar, P., Gostinčar, C., De Hoog, G. S., Uršič, V., Sudhadham, M., & Gunde-Cimerman, N. (2008). Redefinition of Aureobasidium pullulans and its varieties. Studies in mycology, 61, 21-38.

Deshpande, M. S., Rale, V. B., & Lynch, J. M. (1992). Aureobasidium pullulans in applied microbiology: a status report. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 14(7), 514-527.

Cooke, W. B. (1959). An ecological life history of Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud. Mycopathologia et Mycologia Applicata, 12(1), 1-45.

Prasongsuk, S., Lotrakul, P., Ali, I., Bankeeree, W., & Punnapayak, H. (2018). The current status of Aureobasidium pullulans in biotechnology. Folia microbiologica, 63(2), 129-140.

Bolignano, G., & Criseo, G. (2003). Disseminated nosocomial fungal infection by Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanigenum: a case report. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 41(9), 4483-4485.

Wang, M., Danesi, P., James, T. Y., Al‐Hatmi, A. M., Najafzadeh, M. J., Dolatabadi, S., … & de Hoog, S. (2019). Comparative pathogenicity of opportunistic black yeasts in Aureobasidium. Mycoses, 62(9), 803-811.

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