Aspergillus Black Mold On Onions
You may have noticed on many occasions how, upon slicing open an onion bulb, there’s a soot-like black film clinging to the onion skin. Sometimes this aspergillus black mold can be seen on several layers of onion skin. It is none other than the black mold Aspergillus niger, which is generally harmless for as long as you thoroughly wash your hands after coming in contact with it. Black mold grows on onions where climate is warm, especially in the southern states. If you come across onions with black mold, it’s best to simply throw them away to vaoid any mold-related health problems caused by ingesting the black mold, some of whose strains are toxic.
What Is Allium Aspergillus Black Mold On Onions?
Have you ever seen the wet, black stuff that grows on onions sometimes? You know that it’s something bad, and that you should toss the onions as soon as possible, but do you know what it is?
This stuff is a type of black mold that grows on onions, called “allium aspergillus” or “aspergillus niger.”
It usually starts in areas where the onion is bruised or injured, and can grow on any part of the onion, like the bulb or the stem. Allium aspergillus is a major problem for onion growers and it toxic if eaten.
Most often, the mold starts between the different layers of the onion, and grows outward. The mold will give the onion a wet, water-soaked appearance. In the later stages of its development, the onion will become shriveled, withered and dry.
Black mold on onions thrives in warmer climates, such as Southern California or Florida. Even though mold is associated with humid climates, black mold on onions is a particular problem in desert areas where onions are grown.
Allium aspergillus mold can start either while the onion is in the field, or during storage. The onions can pick up the mold from dead matter in the soil. In the case of storage, the mold can be the result of too much humidity in the area where it they are stored.
Allium aspergillus is related to aspergillus niger, which is a common household airborne mold. So, you should never eat onions that appear to have black mold.
Black mold on onions is generally a problem for those who are growing or harvesting onions. You should be particularly aware of mold problems if you are growing onions. Onions with the disease rarely make it to the table.
However, if you do find an onion on your plate with black mold, you should leave it alone. Like other vegetables that develop mold, it should be thrown away immediately.
If you eat an onion that has allium aspergillus or another kind of black mold, you may experience typical mold exposure symptoms like a headache or fatigue. Some people who have eaten raw onions have experienced symptoms similar to those of mold exposure.
If you are harvesting your own onions, you should make sure to store them in a warm, dry place for curing, and a cooler place for storage. The most common cause of black mold on onions is humidity during storage. Make sure that the building where you are curing them is dry.
The temperature for storing your onions should be from 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Definitely, make sure it is not over 55 degrees. Most importantly, make sure it is a dry place.
In handling your onions, be extra careful to avoid bruising. Areas of bruising are the best for mold to grow, so the fewer bruises the better.
During growing, fungus control pesticides will help reduce allium aspergillus growth on onions, but not particular pesticide has been found to be particularly effective against it.