Rhizopus oligosporus
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| Rhizopus oligosporus (Saito, 1905) |
Rhizopus oligosporus is a fungus of the Mucoraceae family and is a widely used starter-culture for the home production of tempeh. The spores produce fluffy, white mycelia, binding the beans together to create a “cake” of soybeans.
Rhizopus oligosporus in tempeh produces an antibiotic, which inhibits gram-positive bacteria, including the potentially harmful Staphylococcus aureus and the beneficial Bacillus subtilis (present in nattō), even after the Rhizopus is consumed. This supports anecdotal evidence that those who eat tempeh regularly have fewer intestinal infections.
Rhizopus oligosporus is more properly known as Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus.
[edit] References
- Kobayasi S, Okazaki N, Koseki T (1992). Purification and characterization of an antibiotic substance produced from Rhizopus oligosporus IFO 8631. PubMed
[edit] External links
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