News: A recent study found that Botrytis fungi, known for creating noble rot in fine wines, have a unique genetic setup.
About Botrytis fungus
- It is a necrotrophic fungus that infects ripe grapes.
- The fungus pierces the grape skin, causing dehydration as water evaporates. This concentrates the sugars, acids, and flavors in the grape, which is essential for producing botrytized wines.
- This fungus belongs to the Ascomycetes group and reproduces through spores housed in sac-like structures called asci.
- Botrytis-infected grapes are used to craft renowned and high-value dessert wines such as Sauternes (France), Tokaji Aszú (Hungary) etc.
About Fungi
- Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- They belong to the Kingdom Fungi in the domain Eukarya.
- Examples include mushrooms, yeasts, molds, and Penicillium notatum.
- Fungi are closer to animals than plants in terms of evolution.
- The cell wall of fungi is made of chitin.
- Fungi reproduce sexually (ascospores, basidiospores) or asexually (conidia, sporangiospores).
