Xerophilic

Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum

Penicillium spinulosum and Penicillium glabrum are closely related primary colonizer Penicillium species found in damp indoor environments.

Water-damage indicatorXerophilic · Aw ≥ 0.79

Moisture niche · where this species can grow

XerophilicAw < 0.80
MesophilicAw 0.80–0.89
HydrophilicAw ≥ 0.90
Min Aw 0.79
← Drier conditions toleratedRequires liquid water →
Minimum Aw
0.79
EPA reference (GM)
1 SE/mg
Mycotoxin profile
3+ documented
Ecological role
Primary colonizer

About Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum

Penicillium spinulosum and Penicillium glabrum are closely related primary colonizer Penicillium species found in damp indoor environments. P. glabrum is one of the more xerotolerant Penicillium species, commonly detected on gypsum board, wood, and painted surfaces. These species are prolific spore producers that contribute to overall indoor fungal allergen load. Elevated levels on an ERMI are more often associated with long-term high humidity than with a water leak.

Ecology and water requirements

Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum is classified as a primary colonizer with xerophilic adaptations: capable of germinating and growing at water activity as low as Aw 0.79[2], well below what most molds tolerate. Primary colonizers establish first in damp or even mildly humid environments, often before any visible moisture problem is apparent. Elevated Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum on an ERMI test is more often associated with long-term high humidity than with a sudden water event[3]. Common contexts include poorly ventilated areas, conditioned-vs-unconditioned boundary zones (attics, crawl spaces, unfinished basements), and dusty environments where ambient relative humidity is sufficient to support growth on settled organic material.

Mycotoxin biology

Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum produces a range of secondary metabolites with biological activity. The compounds documented in the literature for this species are listed in the chips below. Mycotoxin production is not uniform across all strains and is influenced by substrate, temperature, and water activity[4]. The same isolate may produce substantially different metabolite profiles on drywall paper versus wood versus settled dust[5]. DNA-based detection via the ERMI panel identifies species presence but does not directly measure mycotoxin presence; detection of a mycotoxin-producing species in household dust does not establish exposure to that mycotoxin at any specific concentration.

Detection in dust versus visual inspection

DNA-based detection of Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum in settled household dust (the basis of the ERMI panel[1]) integrates spore material from current and recent growth in the home, capturing exposure history over weeks to months. A positive detection in dust does not necessarily indicate currently-active growth at the time of sampling; conversely, an active growth site can produce relatively low dust spore counts if the spores are not being aerosolized (sealed wall cavities, behind vapor barriers, or under flooring). Interpretation requires considering the dust signal alongside building inspection, occupant symptom history, and the broader pattern of species detected on the panel.

Where it’s typically found

Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum is documented on the following substrates and locations:

  • Gypsum board
  • wood
  • painted surfaces
  • house dust
  • food products
  • soil

Mycotoxins

Compounds documented as produced by Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum (presence and quantity vary by chemotype, strain, and substrate):

Patulin· some strainsPenicillic acidLimited data on indoor-specific production

Mycotoxin production is not uniform across all strains and is influenced by substrate, temperature, and water activity. Detection of a mycotoxin-producing species in household dust does not directly establish exposure to that mycotoxin at any specific concentration.

On your ERMI report

Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum is one of the 26 EPA water-damage indicator species used to compute the SLG1 component of the ERMI score (sometimes labeled "Group 1" in EPA documentation). Whether the level detected in any specific home is concerning depends on the broader pattern: which other species are elevated, the water-activity profile of the elevated species, the home's climate context, and (where relevant) the occupant's sensitivity history. Our interpretation report puts Penicillium spinulosum/glabrum in that broader pattern.

Related species

Penicillium brevicompactumAw ≥ 0.78 · XerophilicPenicillium corylophilumAw ≥ 0.80 · MesophilicPenicillium crustosumAw ≥ 0.83 · MesophilicPenicillium purpurogenumAw ≥ 0.83 · Mesophilic

References

  1. Vesper SJ, McKinstry C, Haugland RA, et al. Development of an Environmental Relative Moldiness Index for U.S. homes. J Occup Environ Med. 2007;49(8):829–833.
  2. Pitt JI, Hocking AD. Fungi and Food Spoilage. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2009.
  3. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2009.
  4. Nielsen KF. Mycotoxin production by indoor molds. Fungal Genet Biol. 2003;39(2):103–117.
  5. Miller JD, McMullin DR. Fungal secondary metabolites as harmful indoor air contaminants: 10 years on. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2014;98(24):9953–9966.