Fungi as Medical Compound Sources
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Fungi are the natural source of important compounds including the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, from ordinary fungal metabolism.
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Penicillium fungi produce penicillin to inhibit competing bacteria, a compound later isolated into a widely used antibiotic class.
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A compound's fungal origin does not make it safe for any individual — some fungal metabolites are toxic, not therapeutic.