IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF PENICILLIUM CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE MOROCCAN TABLE GRAPES DURING STORAGE

Penicillium glabrum, P. purpurescens, P. decumbens, P. expansum, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum and P. aurantiogriseum are responsible for some of the alterations noticed on Moroccan table grapes cold stored. Contamination of these table grapes with Penicillium species occurs in the vineyard and inside the cooling station where other fruits which are often fungus-contaminated are also kept. All of these Penicillium species were able to grow at 0 degrees C apart from P. glabrum and P. purpurescens. Consequently, refrigeration of grapes during long-term storage is not sufficient in itself in preserving their initial qualities.