Aspergillus niger
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| iAspergillus niger | ||||||||||||||||||
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 Micrograph of A. niger grown on Sabouraud agar medium. 100x magnification.
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| Aspergillus niger van Tieghem 1867 |
Aspergillus niger is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus Aspergillus. It causes black mold on certain types of fruit and vegetables, and is a common contaminant of food.
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[edit] Pathogenesis
A. niger is less likely to cause disease than some other Aspergillus species, but if large amounts of spores are inhaled, a serious lung disease aspergillosis can occur. Aspergillosis is particularly frequent among horticultural workers breathing in peat dust which can be rich in Aspergillus spores. It is less harmful, though not entirely free from risks, if eaten and digested. A. niger is one of the most common causes of otomycosis (fungal ear infections), which can cause pain, temporary hearing loss and in severe cases damage to the ear canal and tympanic membrane.
[edit] Industrial use
A. niger is cultured for the industrial production of many substances. Various strains of A. niger are used in the industrial preparation of citric acid (E330) and gluconic acid (E574) and have been assessed as acceptable for daily intake by the World Health Organisation. Many enzymes are produced using A. niger including glucoamylase and α-galactosidase, the latter being found in Beano® and other medications which the manufacturers claim can prevent flatulence. Another use for A. niger within the biotechnology industry is in the production of magnetic isotope-containing variants of biological macromolecules for NMR analysis.
[edit] Other Uses
In 2006 it was reported that a secreted RNase produced by A. niger called actibind has antiangiogenic and anticarcinogenic characteristics.
