Extraction of Ergoline Alkaloids From Seeds

Pulverized seeds (100 grams) must be defatted before extraction of alkaloids. Naphtha or petroleum ether are suitable solvents for fat extraction of the seeds. The seeds can be refluxed in the solvent or they can be refluxed in a Soxhlet extractor. The seed mash is then filtered from the solvent. Total extraction of fats is accomplished when new solvent extract leaves no greasy residue on evaporation. 

The seed mush is then allowed to dry of solvent, mixed with 500 mL of 10% ammonium hydroxide (strong ammonia water) and extracted with ether or appropriate solvent. Evaporation of the solvent leaves the alkaloids. Reference (Genest 1965) 

100 Grams of pulverized seeds is mixed with 50 grams of sodium bicarbonate and 100 mL of water. 100 Grams of anhydrous sodium sulfate are mixed to leave the mass dry and granular. The mass is extracted three times with one liter of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solutions are combined and evaporated to leave the alkaloid residue. Reference (Marderosian 1966) 

All extractions should be done under inert atmosphere. Ergot alkaloids will decompose in light, heat and air. Tartrate and maleate salts are less susceptible to destruction. 

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