Geotrichum sp.

Aw (water activity) 0.90. Conidia (spores) dimensions 6-12 x 3-6 microns. Aw (water activity) 0.90. A common contaminant of grains, fruits, dairy products, paper, textiles, soil and water, and often present as part of the normal human flora. The species Geotrichum candidum can cause a secondary infection (geotrichosis) in association with tuberculosis. This rare disease can cause lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung, and intestine.

Geotrichum is usually found in soil, water, air, sewage and it can be found in plants, paper textiles, cereals, and dairy products. It is classed in the yeast group and while it has varied species, there are certain groups that stand out and as such are considered as the most common species. These include; geotrichum candidum, gettrichum clavatum, and geotrichum fici that has a distinct smell that is similar to that of pineapples among other species.

Geotrichum species are known to multiple rapidly through a process known as arthrospores and in most cases, it affects humans when it is ingested through food products that contain the species such as milk, dairy products, and some particular groups of cereals, which contain the species. There are varied report versions on whether, geotrichum affects humans negatively with a majority of them classifying it as part of the human flora, and as such, there are no documented facts that prove it affects people negatively. However, there are other facts that state that in most cases, geotrichum affects the intestinal tract and as such might lead to a number of fungal infections. Some of the most common symptoms that have been linked to this species include pulmonary and bronchial infections that are caused by the varied number of species.

The most common description used for the species indicate that they are usually white, powdery, and dry and if not they will resemble cotton colonies, which look like ground grass. However when they are disturbed slightly, they change these colonies often change their shape and assume the look of yeast or slimy. If you want to get rid of geotrichum from your cereals and milk, always ensure that they are kept above thirty-seven degrees centigrade because majority of these strains do well in a minimal twenty-five degrees centigrade and very few survive at thirty-seven.

Apart from causing damage to the health of humans, studies have shown that geotrichum affects the environment in a negative way too. A good example is the destruction it causes to aluminum and data storing polycarbonate resin. When left on these two products, it destroys them by discoloring them and leaving them almost transparent. If the conditions earlier mentioned are adhered to, then the chances of reducing the growth and multiplication of geotrichum will be enhanced and reduce worries of eating foods that are contaminated with the same.