Sustainable Mycology: Aspergillus fumigatus

The thermophillic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, aids in decomposing compost piles and can also cause pulmonary aspergillosis in immune compromised individuals.

It grows rapidly at 37 degrees Celsius on PDA and MEA with a flat blue green colony that can cover the plate in less than 3 days. Growth is somewhat slower at 25 degrees on PDA and MEA. On DG-18 the growth of the colony is restricted often less than 1 cm in 5 days.

Unless the actual head of the Aspergillus fumigatus spore is found on an Air-O-Cell cassette sample it is not possible to identify the spore other than to put it in the category of Aspergillus/Penicillium like organism.

The spores are small, typically less than 3 microns. The spores cover the top 2/3rds of the vesicle. The stipe of the conidiophore is smooth and often twisted.