Development of alkaloid production in vitro by a strain of Claviceps purpurea from Spartina townsendii

Abstract

An isolate of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. from sclerotia containing a large amount of polypeptide ergot alkaloids failed to produce alkaloid in vitro. After this isolate had been established in vivo on a rye host, sclerotial subisolates produced a new thick pigmented growth form which produced alkaloid in vitro, having a much greater dry weight than the parent and resembling the tissue of natural sclerotia. This growth form was readily lost during successive transfers in vitro, but was repeatedly recovered following re-establishment of the parasitic phase. Alkaloid production in submerged culture was also associated with a ‘sclerotial’ type of morphology. The constituent alkaloids produced in vitro (mainly Δ8–9 and Δ9–10 lysergic acids and chanoclavine) were consistently different from those produced in vivo (mainly ergo toxine and ergotamine).