N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl muramic acid (NAM)

Murein - peptidoglycan is a thick rigid layer that is found in both G+ and G- cells. It composed
of a overlapping lattice of 2 sugars that are crosslinked by amino acid bridges. The exact
molecular makeup of these layers is species specific.
a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, is a derivative of glucose.

Aspergillus (Plural Aspergilli) is a genus of fungi that consists of about 300 identified species of
mold (mould). The rate at which they grow is largely determined by the temperature range in the
environment they grow in. Given that a majority reproduce asexually, they are often described as
conidial fungi. Conidial fungi are fungi that reproduce asexually through the production of
spores from the fungi hyphae. The spore produced is referred to as conidium.
Characteristics

 obtain their nutrition from dead and decaying matter

 can be pathogenic to human beings and animals with some also affecting and damaging
plants.

 Because they lack chlorophyll, they are incapable of absorbing organic matter in their
surroundings.

Types of Aspergillus

a.Aspergillus Niger

Aspergillus niger largely exist as saprophytes, which means that they obtain their nutrition
from a variety of dead and decaying material such as leaves, fruits and other vegetation. As
such, they also contribute to the delay of various food products. given that their source of
vegetation are readily available virtually everywhere.

A. niger are widely distributed and common in many geographical areas. However, they are
known to be particularly prevalent in areas with higher temperatures.

* Research has show that the black spores of A. niger help protect them from the sun's
radiation, which in turn allows this species to thrive in warm areas.

used in industry to produce citric acid

b. Aspergillus Flavus
Like A. niger, Aspergillus flavus are saprophytes that can be found in soil samples where they
obtain their nutrition from dead and decaying matter. In particular, A. flavus are a nuisance to
farmers given that they tend to infect and contaminate crops (seeds).
. flavus is the second leading cause of Aspergillosis among patients with weak immunity. This is
an infection of the lungs by the fungi (fungi balls)
c. Aspergillus Fumigatus

it can survive very high temperatures (it is thermotolerant) which is one of the reasons as to why
it is more prevalent.

A. fumigatus also exists as a saprophyte that plays an important role in the cycle of carbon and
nitrogen in nature. Because it is very prevalent, the spores of A. fumigatus are also in high
concentration in air, which presents a serious health issues for those with poor immunity.
Compared to other species in this genus, A. fumigatus has been shown to be the leading
infectious pathogen among those with compromised immunity.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungi that uses both sexual and asexual means of
reproduction. However, the sexual means of reproduction are yet to be understood.

ense the presence of nitrogen and carbon material resulting in the Aspergillus breaking down this
material (particularly non-woody plants) to obtain nutrients and for absorption. This has been
shown to be an important process in the cycle of carbon and nitrogen in nature.

d. Aspergillus Nidulans
Aspergillus nidulans (Emericella nidulans) is also one of the most studied Aspergillus.
It is because it has been found to be very closely related to a majority of other species of
Aspergillus in addition to a well organized genetic system. As such, it has proved to be
particularly important in medical and industrial research.

does not necessary cause such spoilage. It can grow at relatively high temperatures and has been
shown to produce a toxin (mycotoxin) that can result in health complications among those with
compromised immunity.

e. Aspergillus oryzae
used in East Asian (particularly Japanese and Chinese) food production, such as
in soybean fermentation. This fungi is essential to the fermentation processes because of its
ability to secrete large amounts of various degrading enzymes, which allows it to decompose the
proteins of various starches into sugars and amino acids.[1] This fungi is characterized by a
round vesicle with extending conodial chains, which appear as white and fluffy strands on the
substrate that the fungi inhabits.[3]
f. Aspergillus glaucus
characterized by smooth ascospores (2). A fungus with a wide environmental distribution that
spans both the Arctic and urban soils, A. glaucus is a pathogen that rarely infects humans
because of its high susceptibility to various antifungals (3). Its relative lack of mycotoxin
production in many strains lowers the chance for human infections (4). A. glaucus is capable of
causing infections in immunosuppressed individuals (3). A case of A. glaucus infection is noted
in a fatal instance of central nervous system aspergillosis which commonly includes symptoms
of mental changes, seizures, and hemiparesis (5).
g. Aspergillus terreus
This saprotrophic fungus is prevalent in warmer climates such as tropical and subtropical
regions.[3] Aside from being located in soil, A. terreus has also been found in habitats such as
decomposing vegetation and dust.[4] A. terreus is commonly used in industry to produce
important organic acids, such as itaconic acid and cis-aconitic acid, as well as enzymes,
like xylanase.[3] It was also the initial source for the drug mevinolin (lovastatin), a drug for
lowering serum cholesterol.
Aspergillus terreus can cause opportunistic infection in people with deficient immune systems.
h. Aspergillus ustus is a microfungus and member of the division Ascomycota. It is commonly
found in indoor environments and soil.[1]Isolated cases of human infection resulting
from A. ustus have been described; however the majority of these are nail infections.[2][3]
i. Aspergillus versicolor is a slow-growing filamentous fungus commonly found in damp indoor
environments and on food products.[1][2] It has a characteristic musty odor associated with moldy
homes and is a major producer of the hepatotoxic and
carcinogenic mycotoxinsterigmatocystin.[3][4] Like other Aspergillus species, A. versicolor is an
eye, nose, and throat irritant. provide an effective, economic, and environmentally-friendly
method of removing harmful wastes that accumulate as byproducts of industrial activities.