Aspergillus ochraceus

Aspergillus ochraceus on three media: CBS, a malt extract recipe; CYA, Czapek Yeast extract agar; CZ, Czapek Solution Agar after 7 days at 25°C. The production of diminutive conidial heads is characteristic for the ochre group and they can always be found in this species. Stipe is always distinctly roughened and coloured yellow to pale brown. Several important species are very difficult to separate, especially A. ochraceus, the most common species and an OTA producer, and A. melleus, an OTA non-producer. A. ochraceus has a greater tendency to produce pigment in the medium and less tendency to produce sclerotia than A. melleus. [Photo taken by John Frank, FAO Consultant]