Epicoccum nigrum
| Epicoccum nigrum | |
|---|---|
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| E. nigrum growing on Lycoperdon pyriforme | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Phylum: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Dothidiomycetes |
| Order: | Pleosporales |
| Family: | Pleosporaceae |
| Genus: | Epicoccum |
| Species: | E. nigrum |
| Binomial name | |
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Epicoccum nigrum Link |
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| Synonyms | |
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Epicoccum purpurascens Ehrenb. |
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Epicoccum purpurascens Ehrenb.
Epicoccum vulgare Corda
Phoma epicoccina Punith.
Toruloidea tobaica Svilv.
Epicoccum nigrum is a species of fungus, in the phylum Ascomycota. A plant pathogen and endophyte, it is a widespread fungus which produces coloured pigments that can be used as antifungal agents against other pathogenic fungi. The fluorescent stain, epicocconone is extracted from it.
Epicoccum nigrum (1825) Link ex. Link is a fungus with no known teleomorph form. It has been classified as a member of the Hyphomycetes, in the Deuteromycota, as well as the Fungi Imperfecti because it is only known to reproduce asexually. Despite that it is not yeast-like, it has been included in the broad, unrelated category of fungi known as black yeasts. The fungus grows felty colonies in bright shades of yellow, orange, and red, often with brown or black throughout. Colonies grow quickly, reaching about 6 cm in diameter in 2 days at room temperature. Mycelia contain both chitin and cellulose.
Epicoccum nigrum forms that are darkly coloured, warted and spherical, reaching 15 to 25 µm in diameter. Conidia grow on a sporodochium, formed by warty and fibrous hyphae. Sporets have been found to contain up to 15 cells. The spores of E. nigrum are actively released depending on temperature, light, and relative humidity conditions. The mechanism of release involves the separation of the conidium from the sporodochium via a double septum. It capitalizes on the spherical shape of the conidia, allowing it to "bounce" off the sporodochium. Conidia then become airborne with movement or wind. Sporulation is induced under Wood's light, or sometimes upon exposure to cold temperatures with a subsequent return to room temperature. Pigment production is also sensitive to light and temperature changes. Ideal growth temperatures range between 23–28 °C (73–82 °F), and ideal growth pH ranges from 5.0 to 6.0. Although E. nigrum will grow in a range of water activity (aw of 0.99 to 0.97), growth is optimized at water vapour saturation.
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