Molecular identification and cultural characteristics of Penicillium citrinum associated with marine dried fish of Stolephorus commersonnii (Lacépède, 1803)

Abstract

Stolephorus commersonnii is a common marine fish popular in Bangladesh's coastal regions as dried fish. The goal of this study was to identify the fungus by molecular techniques, including its morphological characteristics and cultural factors associated with dried fish. Mycelium, hyphae, and distinctive brush-like branching conidiophores with a long chain of conidial morphology were used to identify Penicillium citrinum, which was isolated from S. commersonnii. Additionally, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of P. citrinum was analyzed. A 100% sequence match with the P. citrinum species complex was revealed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for P. citrinum isolate JUF0137 and its GenBank accession number PZ251380.1. Potato dextrose (PDA) medium (75 mm) and yeast extract agar medium (31 mm) exhibited the highest and lowest mycelial growth rates, respectively. According to the analysis of fungal growth characteristics, P. citrinum's mycelial development was most suitable at 30°C and pH 7. P. citrinum from S. commersonnii has never been reported in Bangladesh, as far as it is concerned. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 14(1 & 2): 165-173, 2025 (June & December)