Terverticillate Penicillia: Chemotaxonomy and Mycotoxin Production

Abstract

A total of 4346 isolates of terverticillate Penicillium species was examined for production of mycotoxins and other important secondary metabolites. Nearly all taxa and chemotypes (38 in all) produced one or more known mycotoxins consistently. Profiles of secondary metabolites were specific for each taxon, but several mycotoxins were produced by more than one species, suggesting a high degree of relatedness in the terverticillate penicillia. A high number of misidentified Penicillium isolates were reidentified, clarifying connections between taxa and profiles of mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites. Confirmed production of several mycotoxins in different taxa is reported for the first time. Penicillium chrysogenum, P. atramentosum, P. coprophilum, P. crustosum, P. expansum, P. glandicola var. glandicola and var. glaucovenetum, P. griseofulvum, P. hirsutum var. hirsutum, var. albocoremium, var. allii and var. hordei, and P. vulpinum are reported for the first time to be consistent producers of roquefortine C. Griseofulvin is reported from P. coprophilum. Tremorgen penitrem A was consistently produced by P. crustosum, P. glandicola var. glandicola and P. clavigerum. Terrestric acid is reported from P. hirsutum and its varieties, and P. crustosum. P. hirsutum var. hirsutum and P. solitum produce compactin. Penicillium mononematosum produces cyclopaldic acid and isochromantoxin. P. expansum was found to produce the mycotoxin chaetoglobosin C and P. atramentosum produces rugulovasine A. Several new varieties, chemotypes and combinations are proposed, based on profiles of secondary metabolites, morphology and physiological characters. Living ex type and authentic cultures of taxa believed to be synonyms of important species were examined and revised lists of synonyms are presented.