IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF ERGOT ALKALOIDS BY CULTURES OF CLAVICEPS PURPUREA (FR.) TUL.

Abstract

Stationary cultures of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. grown 50 days on a liquid medium containing mannitol, ammonium succinate, and salts produced small amounts of ergot alkaloids.Ergometrine, ergometrinine, ergotamine, ergotaminine, ergocornine, ergocorninine, ergocryptine, agroclavine, and penniclavine were identified by paper chromatography of culture extracts. The selection of strains, the composition of the medium, and the length of the incubation period appeared to be important factors influencing the production of alkaloids.