Mold, Mold, Mold

We are still waiting on our mold to grow, checking it daily. While we wait we have been searching different types of mold and how they grow.

L is fascinated with all things pink, of course, so she wanted to know where pink mold is from. I asked where she thought pink mold would grow and she stated that it would grow on a "rock that is dying."
We quickly had a discussion on inanimate objects versus living organisms. After some thought she then decided that pink mold is grown on dying trees.

We discovered that pink mold can be two possible things (via Wikepedia):
1. Fusarium:a large genus of filamentous fungi widely distributed in soil and in association with plants. Most species are harmless saprobes and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. The main toxins produced by these Fusarium species are fumonisins and trichothecenes.

2. A bacterium known as Serratia marscencens: Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathrooms (especially on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water line, and basin), where it manifests as a pink discoloration and slimy film feeding off phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances (such as soap and shampoo residue). Once established, complete eradication of the organism is often difficult, but can be accomplished by application of a bleach-based disinfectant. Rinsing and drying surfaces after use can also prevent the establishment of the bacteria by removing it's food source and making the environment less hospitable.

S. marcescens may also be found in environments such as dirt, supposedly "sterile" places, and the subgingival biofilm of teeth. Due to this, and the fact that S. marcescens produces a reddish-orange tripyrrole pigment called prodigiosin, S. marcescens may cause extrinsic staining of the teeth. The biochemical pathway illustrating the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens is unknown except for the final two steps. In these steps, a monopyrrole (MAD) and a bipyrrole (MBC) undergo a condensation reaction by way of a condensing enzyme to ultimately form prodigiosin.

Here is a really amazing picture we found of L's pink mold. She of course thought it was very pretty. ;)



K takes a more broad perspective on the mold phenomena. She was interested in brown, black and blue mold. When asked where she thought those grew she said in the forest.
She then discovered that brown and black mold could grow inside your home and was not very happy about that. She was very concerned about our home and wondered if our house was safe.
We also found out that blue mold is the "most important postharvest decay of stored apples in the United States. The losses from this disease can be significant but can be substantially reduced by following proper sanitation and control measures. The fungus, Penicillium expansum, not only causes fruit decay but also produces the carcinogenic mycotoxin patulin. This toxin may rise to unacceptable levels in fruit destined for processing and may also result in off flavors."


Here are some pictures we discovered.
Brown Mold


Black Mold



Blue Mold