Ergot alkaloids characteristics

Stoll, Hofmann and Petrzilka (1946) have also succeeded in obtaining dihydro-derivatives of this series (ergotinine type) of ergot alkaloids. Each of these bases yields two dihydro-derivatives, distinguished as isomerides I and II. Their chief characteristics are siunmarised in the following table —... 

Ergot alkaloids, 517 characteristics, 519 constitution, 525 dihydro-derivatives, 532 hydrolytic products, 526 pharmacological action, 533 relative sympathicolytic activities, 535... 

These indole characteristics also occur in hydrated ergot-alkaloids but not in lysergic acid derivatives. 

OLOLIUQUI Indian tribes in Mexico use the seeds from two climbers Rivea corymbosa (L.) and Ipomoea violacea, family Convolvulaceae. Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, has also isolated from this drug the hallucinogenic ingredient, lysergic acid amide, with an effective dose of 2-100 mg. The related compound LSD (Isysergic acid diethylamide) is a semisynthetic substance, one part of which, lysergic acid, is the characteristic part of the ergot alkaloids. Dr... 

The lysergic acid ring system, characteristic of the ergot alkaloids, is constructed from 2-bro-moaniline derivatives by a triple radical cyelization. The only product isolated is the desired tetracyclic indoline 396. 

Most of the natural ergot alkaloids possess the tetracyclic ergoline ring system as their characteristic structural feature (Fig. 1). 

Leaflets + HgO from HgO. M.p. 238 deoomp. [a] 4- 40° in Py. Sol. Py. Spar. sol. most org. solvents. Amphoteric. Gives characteristic blue Keller test of ergot alkaloids. 

Fragmentation experiments such as precursor ion scans using triple-stage quadrupole and ion trap mass spectrometers methods provide insights can identify conmiOTi and characteristic product ions and allow the detection of minor ergot alkaloids not included in routine analyses today. Ion trap detection allows several fragmentations (MSn experiments) that can enhance the ability to elucidate the structures of unknown ergot alkaloid derivatives. 

As a theoretical alternative seems a method according that strains, which produce ergot alkaloids saprophytically, are preserved as sclerotia formed on an infected, proper host plant, e.g. rye for strains of the species Claviceps purpurea. Viability of the sclerotia when stored in refrigerator is several years. Questions of contingent changes of strain prodnction characteristics due to alternation of saprophytic and parasitic phases were treated by Breuel and Brann (1981), and Breuel et al. (1982). During surface stationary production of peptide alkaloids it was possible to keep production strain in the form of dried mycelinm at 4°C for 3 years without any influence to prodnction capability (Kybal, Malinka, unpublished results). 

Chemical characteristics. Ergot alkaloids are rieilvatives of lysergic add more than 40 derivatives ate known. Autoclaving, exposure to high temperatures (i.e., greater than 150°Q. or application of a 1 % chlorine solulion markedly reduces the toxicity of ergot alkaioids. 

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