Laboratory Production of Ergot Alkaloids by Species of Balansia

Abstract

Four Balansia spp. (clavicipitaceous systemic grass pathogens) isolated from pastures where cattle showed signs of ergot toxicity were grown in culture. B. epichloe, 1 isolate of B. claviceps, B. henningsiana and 2 isolates of B. strangulans produced conidia in submerged culture during the 1st stage of a 2-stage fermentation procedure. When transferred to a glucose/sorbitol/inorganic salts medium during the 2nd stage, these 4 spp. produced ergot alkaloids in stationary cultures. The transfer of fungi cultured in the 1st medium to the 2nd medium was necessary for alkaloid biosynthesis. One isolate of B. claviceps did not produce alkaloids. B. epichloe produced chanoclavine (I), agroclavine, penniclavine, elymoclavine, ergonovine and ergonovinine. B. claviceps produced chanoclavine (I), ergonovine and ergonovinine. This is the 1st report of isolating ergonovine and ergonovinine, 2 lysergic acid derivatives, from fungi outside the genus Claviceps. Only chanoclavine (I) was identified from extracts of B. strangulans and B. henningsiana. Chanoclavine (I) and ergonovine were identified from smut grass (Sporobolus poiretii) parasitized by B. epichloe, indicating that this endophyte produces alkaloids in vivo and in vitro.