Rhizopus is a genus of common saprophytic fungi on plants and specialized parasites on animals.

They are found in a wide variety of organic substances, including "mature fruits and vegetables",[2] jellies, syrups, leather, bread, peanuts, and tobacco.

Some Rhizopus species are opportunistic human pathogens that often cause fatal disease called mucormycosis.

[3][4] Rhizopus species grow as filamentous, branching hyphae that generally lack cross-walls (i.e., they are coenocytic).

[5] In addition to that, there is even a type of Rhizopus (Rhizopus microsporus-fermented soybean tempe) that has proven to reduce colon carcinogenesis in rats by elevating factors of mucins, immunoglobulin A, and organic acids and give protection to piglets from Escherichia coli-infection by inhibiting adhesion to the intestinal membranes.