| Summary: | Blue mold of apple is caused by several different <i>Penicillium</i> species, among which <i>P. expansum</i> and <i>P. solitum</i> are the most frequently isolated. <i>P. expansum</i> is the most aggressive species, and <i>P. solitum</i> is very weak when infecting apple fruit during storage. In this study, we report complete genomic analyses of three different <i>Penicillium</i> species: <i>P. expansum</i> R21 and <i>P. crustosum</i> NJ1, isolated from stored apple fruit; and <i>P</i>. <i>maximae</i> 113, isolated in 2013 from a flooded home in New Jersey, USA, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Patulin and citrinin gene cluster analyses explained the lack of patulin production in NJ1 compared to R21 and lack of citrinin production in all three strains. A <i>Drosophila</i> bioassay demonstrated that volatiles emitted by <i>P</i>. <i>solitum</i> SA and <i>P</i>. <i>polonicum</i> RS1 were more toxic than those from <i>P</i>. <i>expansum</i> and <i>P. crustosum</i> strains (R27, R11, R21, G10, and R19). The toxicity was hypothesized to be related to production of eight-carbon oxylipins. Putative lipoxygenase genes were identified in <i>P</i>. <i>expansum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>maximae</i> strains, but not in <i>P</i>. <i>crustosum</i>. Our data will provide a better understanding of <i>Penicillium</i> spp. complex secondary metabolic capabilities, especially concerning the genetic bases of mycotoxins and toxic VOCs.
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