ERGOSINE, ERGOSININE, AND CHANOCLAVINE-I FROM EPICHLOE-TYPHINA

Epichloe typhina, isolated from toxic K-31 tall fescue grass, was shown to produce ergot alkaloids in vitro. Ergosine, ergosinine, and chanoclavine I were isolated and identified by comparison with authentic standards with regard to thin-layer chromatography, ultraviolet absorption, and low-resolution mass spectra analyses. Total alkaloid production, colorimetrically determined as ergonovine maleate, was 5.5 mg/L for 28-day-old cultures. This is the first report of a fungus outside the genera of Claviceps and Balansia capable of producing alkaloids that are N-peptide-substituted amides of lysergic acid. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.