Mold photos. Mold - what is it? She kills and saves from death

Mold is one of the most ancient living organisms on Earth. She appeared 200 million years ago and learned to survive in any conditions: in radiation, Arctic ice and open space. She saves lives and can kill.

smart mold
Remember the old experiment where the rat has to find the right way in the maze to get food. So, as the Japanese scientist Toshuki Nakagaki found out, the mold copes with this task just as well. In 2000, he conducted an experiment by placing the mold Physarum polycephalum at the entrance to the labyrinth, and a sugar cube at the exit.
The mold immediately sprouted in the direction of the sugar, the spores of the fungus filled the entire space in the labyrinth, bifurcating at each intersection. As soon as any of the shoots got into a dead end, he turned back and looked for a way in another direction. It took the microscopic fungus only 4 hours to fill all the passages of the maze and find the right way to sugar.

But, what is most interesting, when a piece of mushroom mycelium that had already passed through the maze was plucked off and placed again at the entrance to the maze, putting sugar at the end, one of the sprouts unmistakably chose the shortest path to the exit from the maze and sugar, and the second simply “climbed” along the walls of the labyrinth and crawled along the ceiling. Thus, a simple mold revealed not only the rudiments of memory, but also the ability to non-standard way of solving problems, which indicates that the fungus has intelligence.

Dangerous mold
Mold accompanies us everywhere, it lives in huge colonies in bathrooms, apartments, ventilation shafts, and, worst of all, in our refrigerators. Therefore, people are used to just not noticing it. And in vain.
In addition to the fact that a microscopic fungus is capable of destroying entire buildings, it is also poisonous to the human body. In the process of growth, it produces substances that affect the lungs, intestines, and skin. Their spores enter the respiratory tract and “settle” inside us, opening the way for bacteria and viruses. Allergies are almost the most harmless consequence of living with mold as a neighbor. A microscopic fungus can destroy the structure of DNA and lead to cancer.

According to scientists, mold and its poison are practically not excreted from the body. The most dangerous, in this case, is the yellow mold from the genus Aspergillus, which "starts" on dairy products, fish and nuts. It releases a dangerous substance aflatoxin, which accumulates in the body and after 10 years can cause liver cancer.

Curse of Tutankhamun
At least two mysterious deaths following the discovery by archaeologist Howard Carter of Tutankhamun's intact tomb are now blamed on mold. It turned out that the mummy's lung tissue was still inhabited by the mold fungus Aspergillus niger, which can be fatal for people with weakened immune systems or with a damaged pulmonary system.
The first victim of "Tutankhamun" - the organizer and sponsor of the excavations, Lord Carnarvon, long before the discovery of the tomb, had a terrible car accident in which he damaged his lung. He died of pneumonia some time after visiting the tomb. Following him, another participant in the excavations, Arthur Mays, died, who, by a tragic accident, was seriously ill before the start of the excavations. His weakened immune system provided the perfect environment for the mold's deadly qualities to manifest.

invincible mold
One of the main and most dangerous properties of mold is its omnipresence. Microscopic fungi are able to survive, without exaggeration, in any conditions. They feel great among the Arctic ice, on the radioactive sarcophagus of the 4th power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and even in outer space.
So, as part of the Bioisk experiment, which was aimed at studying the influence of outer space conditions on living organisms, three capsules with spores of mold fungi Penicillum, Aspergilus and Cladosporium were taken into outer space and attached to the skin of the orbital station. The results were simply stunning, after a six-month stay in outer space, mold spores not only survived, but also mutated, becoming more aggressive and resistant.

And this is not a record yet. The researchers placed a mold from the genus Aspergilus Fumigatus in a test tube filled with a powerful anti-fungal drug. Part of the colony withstood the blow. And this is despite the fact that the chance of mold surviving under these conditions was exactly the same as that of a person placed in concentrated sulfuric acid.

Mold and antibiotics
Penicillin, the world's first antibiotic that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers during World War II, was first developed by the British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1928 from a strain of the Penicillum notatum fungus.
As is the case with most brilliant discoveries, it happened completely by accident. In one of the Petri dishes with staphylococcus bacteria, as a result of improper storage, a gray-green mold started up. Fleming was surprised to find that the unkillable staphylococcus colonies that claimed so many lives during World War I simply dissolved around this mold. The miracle cure, from which all the wounds of the military healed literally before our eyes, was already finalized during the Second World War. At the presentation of the Nobel Prize to the creators of the panacea - Fleming, Cheyne and Flory, it was said: "To win the war, penicillin did more than 25 divisions!".

"Noble" mold
Doctors strongly recommend that if the product begins to mold, it must be thrown away. Simply removing the affected area will not lead to anything. If it is soft fruit, bread or jam, then the mycelium has most likely spread to the entire product.
But not all mold on food is dangerous. There is also an edible mold, with the help of which mankind has been making delicious blue cheeses and Camembert for several centuries.

At the beginning of the 15th century, the French king Charles VI gave the inhabitants of the village of Roquefort a monopoly on the production of cheese of the same name in local limestone caves. The technology hasn't changed much since that time. Each head of cheese made from sheep's milk is pierced through with long needles so that mold spores can enter it. And stable high humidity and low temperatures ensure rapid growth of mushrooms.

Another popular mold product is the French Château d'Yquem. For its manufacture, grapes are affected by “noble rot” - the fungus Bodritis Cinerea, due to which the skin of the berry loses its tightness, the fruit itself shrinks, but the contents become more concentrated. Château d'Yquem, the favorite wine of the Russian aristocracy of the 19th century, is today one of the most expensive wines in the world.

Mold often threatens the owners of private houses and apartments. It penetrates into any room if it maintains a consistently high level of humidity, there is no regular supply of fresh air, etc. Microscopic fungi easily settle in any territory, affect the structure of various materials. But most importantly, mold spores pose a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish mold in time in order to understand how to effectively deal with it.

All kinds of mold can "colonize" your home. At first glance, all they differ from each other is the color of the mold. But no, there are actually many more signs. Experienced specialists pay attention to the structure of fungal cells. Varieties of mold are visible in pictures and photographs taken on an enlarged scale: the structure of their spores can be ornate. The way the threads of the fungus intertwine intricately with each other also speaks volumes. However, it is fundamentally possible to study the structure of mold only under a microscope. In the photo, it seems only a dark spot, sometimes with a fleecy surface. What are the types of mold and why exactly are they dangerous?

Video "Danger"

From the video you will learn what danger lies in the infection.

Black

The black color of the mold that threatens you is one of the most common "colors". In addition, this species panics the owners of apartments and private houses, because such a fungus is most noticeable on any kind of surface. However, black mold is not one species, it is a whole group of various subspecies of the fungus that acquire a similar shade at different stages of their development. The material on which the fungus settles also plays a huge role. Which specific strains are related to black mold:

If mold on the walls is a problem that you are “lucky enough” to encounter, do not rush to panic. This does not always mean that something threatens the health and well-being of your household. However, the sooner you determine which species you are dealing with, the sooner you will understand what consequences can be expected from the fungus, and how to actually remove it.

Green

Ascomycetes, or more commonly called green mold, are microscopic fungi that also often cause people a lot of trouble. In most cases, their spores live in organic materials, sometimes they are found in compost or soil. In appearance, this mold is a bit like moss, it has a rich green tint and has an uneven surface. What is the danger of a species called green mold?
The thing is that it often affects food products, for example, vegetables. Prefers this fungus and sour milk. Moreover, if you notice only the first signs of its appearance, do not hope that you will remove the affected layer from the product and be able to use the same vegetables. This type of fungus actively penetrates inside and immediately infects tissues, so eating vegetables or dairy products after infection with a green fungus is fraught with serious poisoning.

Pink

Can pink mold appear in the house? It does not affect surfaces as such, does not settle on walls or ceilings, but it can appear on plant residues or decay products (spoiled vegetables and fruits, plants and even cereals and grains that were illiterately saved in the kitchen).
This type of mold is not dangerous to human health, but it is still not recommended to eat foods that are already affected by it.

White

What is remarkable about white mold, or mukor? This species affects mainly trees, indoor plants and the soil on which they grow, as well as food products (bread or cheese). Mucor is not considered particularly dangerous to human health, but in rare cases it can affect internal organs. This kind of disease is typical for both humans and animals. How does infection occur?

Mucor spores enter the body through the respiratory tract or blood, for example, cuts on the hands. Then they quickly develop and spread in the blood. By the way, this is an ideal microclimate for them: moisture, heat are constantly maintained, and oxygen is contained in sufficient quantities.

However, cases of excitation of diseases caused by white mold (mucor) are quite rare and are possible only with weak protective functions of the body.

blue

Much less private houses and apartments are affected by a species called blue mold. And all because such microscopic fungi most often occur on a tree. They do not pose any danger to humans. In addition, they are often used in the production of fine cheeses. At first glance, this fungus appears to be a blue bloom. In any case, blue mold is absolutely harmless.

Gray

Saprophytic microfungi are a type of fungus that is quite dangerous for humans. It is characterized by the presence of a gray color and is similar to a normal plaque. Gray mold settles on almost any surface and material, and sometimes occurs on food (vegetables and fruits). It can also bring a lot of harm to indoor plants, and besides, it can be transmitted through flower seeds.
Having appeared in the house, gray mold settles firmly and for a long time in the room, it is very problematic to remove it. Its occurrence, as in most cases with mold, is promoted by high humidity (over 70-80%). If this is maintained stably, the likelihood of the appearance of this kind of microscopic fungi only increases.

Reasons for the appearance

Why does the house grow, for example, yellow mold or even orange mold? This is usually driven by several key factors:

All this in combination leads to the formation of mold spores in the cellar, basement or directly in your home. Whatever type of fungus threatens your home (for example, brown mold), be prepared for the fact that you will have to apply comprehensive measures that vary in degree of impact. In addition, persistence and careful implementation of each procedure is important. Thus, you will get rid of poisonous spores of microscopic fungi without serious consequences for your health.

Mold is a microscopic fungal formation in the form of spots.

Causes of the fungus

The main cause of mold on the wall in the apartment is high humidity (about sixty percent), dampness. For its appearance, it is enough to have a damp wall or a room in which dampness reigns constantly.

The main causes of high humidity:

• point leaks (for example, from a tap);
• freezing of the surface of walls, windows, etc.;
• poor ventilation.

Where does it appear

• seams between tiles in the bathroom;
• wooden frames;
• window sills;
• corners.

mold varieties

Many have seen live or photos of mold on the walls and noticed that it can be different in color and structure. Before we talk about how to get rid of mold on the walls, consider the types of mold:

Aspergillus niger is a black mold that can live on various building materials (concrete, plaster, whitewash). Penetrating into the structure of the material, it gradually destroys it.

This type of mold is resistant to cold and occurs even in abandoned rooms. This mold can lead to aspergillosis, which manifests itself in allergic reactions.

Penicillium is a blue-green mold that is less harmful than black mold, but can also cause allergies.

Fusarium - white and brown, harmful to plants.

Serpula lacrymans - fluffy coating of white. It grows on wood, this mold is dangerous both for wooden surfaces and for humans.

Mold removal

Let's get acquainted with the means of mold that forms on the walls. In order to get rid of white and green mold, you must:

• Make a soapy solution of water with the addition of bleach and wipe the surface with mold spots with it;
• If it is not possible to remove the mold with a rag, then you can use a brush or dishwashing net;
• Saturate the treated area with a chemical agent by applying it in a thick layer. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure.

Treatment with a chemical solution will make the surface unsuitable for the appearance and existence of the fungus.

Fighting black mold

When fighting black mold, not only the stain itself is treated, but also the area around the stain. Main stages:

• It is necessary to remove a section of the infected wall with a perforator;
• Next, we process the wall with a chemical solution;
• We cover the resulting hole with putty with the addition of a chemical agent from the fungus.

Remedies for the fungus

Consider how you can treat the walls from mold, depending on the variety. From green and white will do:

• PS 50 - suitable for plaster and drywall;
• Boramon C30 - ideal for processing wooden surfaces;
• Mellerud - Suitable for concrete, wood, plaster and wallpaper.

To combat black, you can use:

• Belinka - eliminates black and other types of mold;
• Well Done - suitable for processing plaster, tiles, surfaces covered with oil paint.
• Astonish can be used on plastics and ceramics without damaging the surface.

Important: When working with chemicals, use a respirator and gloves. Wear long sleeves. Open a window for ventilation.

Preventive measures

Various means of fungus and mold on the walls eliminate only mold. But it is necessary to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. Consider an effective algorithm of actions:

• Eliminate the source of high humidity.
• Adjust the ventilation and airing of the room.

Remember that only properly adjusted ventilation cleans the air from mold spores. It is a big misconception that an air conditioner purifies the air in a room. In fact, it does not purify the air, but drives the same one along with mold spores.

Carry out regular wet cleaning using antibacterial agents.

Use chlorine spray for treatment.

Insulate walls and windows to maintain heat balance.

Adjust the microclimate of the room. To do this, you can purchase an air dryer. Such devices are especially useful in the summer season.

Photo of mold on the walls

Molds are mushrooms, representatives of a completely separate and huge kingdom. Mold is omnivorous and ubiquitous. In a clean room, there are about 500 fungal spores in every cubic meter of air. When a person breathes, he inhales fungal spores along with the air. Larger spores can cause allergies, and small molds can cause lung diseases. A weakened immune system has proven to be an ideal environment for the lethal qualities that mold can exhibit.

Everyone is familiar with the mold in the form of a gray fluff that appears on strawberries right on the beds. We call it gray mold. In France, it is called noble rot. It is this mold (a fungus called Bodritis cinerea) that contributes to the birth of the most famous French wines. The most famous of the varieties is the legendary wine Château d'Yquem. This is perhaps the most expensive wine in the world. And made him so moldy.

Let's take for example the "most terrible" mold at the moment Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus niger), But few people have heard that it is produced on an industrial scale with its help: 1. Citric acid (E330) 2. Gluconic acid (E574) 3. Pectinases, glucoamylase and many other enzymes 4. It is the main agent in the fermentation of some varieties of tea and, in particular, Puer tea 5. A sugar substitute (corn syrup, which is added to the vast majority of soft and soft drinks, yogurts, etc.

Its fellow is the noble mold Penicillium roqueforti. The most famous use of this fungus is the production of blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Danish Blue). In addition, it is used to make flavors, antifungals, polysaccharides, proteases and other enzymes.

The following two representatives of the mold are not typical, but for their originality of form and usefulness it is worth noting: Kombucha (Japanese mushroom, sea kvass, tea jellyfish, jellyfish) is a symbiosis of yeast and acetic acid bacteria. Quite well studied, used to promote health and as a source of vitamins and active substances. Kefir mushroom (Tibetan mushroom, milk mushroom, Indian Yogi mushroom) is a symbiotic group of lactobacilli, acetic acid bacteria and lactic yeast. It is also a treasure trove of nutrients.