Penicillium roqueforti: a multifunctional cell factory of high value-added molecules

Abstract

This is a comprehensive review, with 114 references, of the chemical diversity found in the fungus Penicillium roqueforti. Secondary metabolites of an alkaloidal nature are described, for example, ergot alkaloids such as festuclavine, isofumigaclavines A and B, and diketopiperazine alkaloids such as roquefortines A–D, which are derived from imidazole. Other metabolites are marcfortines A–C, PR‐toxin, eremofortines A–E, mycophenolic and penicillic acids, and some γ‐lactones. Also, recent developments related to the structural characteristics of botryodiplodin and andrastin are studied—the latter has anticancer properties. Finally, we discuss the enzymes of P. roqueforti, which can participate in the biotechnological production of high value‐added molecules, as well as the use of secondary metabolite profiles for taxonomic purposes.