Blueberry Botrytis spp.

Moldy blueberries in a measuring cup

Fresh fruit easily becomes moldy in a refrigerator. Samples were taken from the surface of the blue berries.  A heavy growth of Botrytis spp. was noted through out the sample. The white particles in the measuring cup are whey protein.

Botrytis means grape diseases. It is the combination of the Greek botrys = grape and the Latin itis = disease. (ref: Wikipedia) By coincidence, the common asexual form of this organism shown below grows on grapes and the conidia (asexual spores) also look like microscopic grapes.

Photomicrograph of Botrytis spp. cluster stained with lacto fuchsin - 400x 

Second photomicrograph of Botrytis spp. stained with lacto fuchsin - 400x 

How Botritis spp. infects a plant - 2 min 

Reference materials for mold identification and flood cleanup.

Alternaria spp. kaleidoscope - N. Carlson

EPA guidance on mold:

• EPA mold
• IAQ resources for flood cleanup

Minnesota Department of Health mold and moisture resources:

• MDH mold

Mold identification practice

• Line drawing quiz
• Spore trap quiz
• Light microscopy quiz
• Aspergillus spp. culture quiz
• Mold flash cards

IR thermography term quiz

• IR terms and photos

Books:

• IICRC S500 - Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration
• IICRC S520 - Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation
• Category I: Antimicrobial Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual - U of MN Extension -2010
• Report to the US EPA on Guidance Documents to Safely Clean, Decontaminate, and Reoccupy Flood-Damaged Houses - Aug. 31, 2018

Flood Cleanup - Gene Cole, Dr. P.H. - 1 hour 22 minutes