Question:medium

Citrinin, a mycotoxin, is produced by __________.

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The toxin's name is derived directly from the genus that produces it.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • Pythium
  • Penicillium
  • Fusarium
  • Helminthosporium
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, and each is usually linked historically to the fungal genus first found to produce it.
Step 2: Citrinin takes its name directly from Penicillium citrinum, the species in which it was first isolated, and it remains best known as a Penicillium product even though a few other genera can also make it.
Step 3: Pythium, Fusarium and Helminthosporium are all significant plant pathogens but are linked to other toxins or diseases entirely, not citrinin.
So the correct genus is Penicillium.
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