What’s up with mold?

Mold has saved countless lives thanks to its contribution as the antibiotic, Penicillin. Mold also plays an important role in breaking down organic materials. Its nature’s way of recycling nutrients back into our ecosystem. Without it, life as we know it would cease to exist.

Some of the enzymes found in molds are beneficial to the food industry. For example, mold is used to enhance cheese production. Meanwhile, a species of fungus known as Aspergillus tubingensis, was recently found breaking down plastic. This exciting discovery could one day help to save the planet. At this point, you may be asking, how did mold get such a bad reputation?

Well, there are more than 100,000 different species of mold. Some are relatively harmless, others produce toxic compounds known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are a type of defense mechanism for mold. Whenever a toxic mold feels threatened, mycotoxins are released into the air. A subtle change in temperature could be perceived as a threat. Or even a secondary mold competing for growing space. Needless to say, molds aren’t too fond of humans that prod and poke them.

Once mycotoxins become airborne, they are small enough to be inhaled. They are also large enough to cause a chronic, inflammatory response. Some mycotoxins are considered cytotoxic (toxic to all living cells). This means mycotoxins can have an impact on you and…