Purpureocillium lilacinum
Organism description
The ascomycete Purpureocillium lilacinum, formerly known as Paecilomyces lilacinus, is a ubiquitous saprotroph, found in terrestrial and subaqueous soil, dead organic matter, and insects. The fungus is producer of a plethora of secondary metabolites and is also described as a biocontrol agent: P. lilacinum can invade the eggs of the nematodes that cause root-knot disease in tomato plants, and therefore it is considered a nematicide. Moreover, it inhibits the growth of the mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune during interaction on plate.
Figure. Purpureocillium lilacinum (upper right corner) during interaction with the mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune (lower left corner)
