Changes in Ergoline Alkaloids in Seeds During Ontogeny of Ipomoea violacea

Abstract

Ipomoea violacea L. (Convolualaceae) (heavenly blue) plants were grown under greenhouse conditions. Seed samples were taken following the tenth day of fertilization until maturity was reached. Their content of total alkaloids, lysergic acid amide, isolysergic acid amide, and clavine alkaloids was determined. The alkaloid values were highest (about 0.1 per cent of dry seed) during the early stages of seed development. Chanoclavine was the most abundant alkaloid in the immature seed. With increasing maturity the lysergic acid amide/chanoclavine ratio increased. Experimental findings are discussed to illustrate biogenetic interrelationships between ergoline alkaloids in I. violacea in the light of earlier studies on ergot alkaloids.