2. Fungal biocontamination

Molds are microscopic filamentous fungi, i.e. visible only through a microscope, with all the characteristics of fungi, particularly with regard to nutrients and environmental requirements.

Their vegetative apparatus, called the "thallus", is made up of a multitude of branched filaments that together form the mycelium. Each of these filaments is a hypha. Hyphae may or may not be partitioned, depending on the group, and have walls of varying thickness and structure, containing chitin or cellulose. The permeability of this wall is a very important factor in the development of the fungus, as it is through it that exchanges with the substrate take place. It is through this wall that the chemical compounds used to destroy the cells migrate. Hyphae grow apically and branch laterally. The weakly differentiated apical parts are highly permeable, but also very fragile. Antifungal...