Ergot alkaloids. VI. Nitrogen metabolism during the development of sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea.

The developmental transition of ergot from the sphacelial to the sclerotial phase is accompanied by marked changes in morphology, growth and metabolism. The production of alkaloids is paralleled by a concomitant protein synthesis, a decline in the contents of both total N and P, and an attendant rise in the value of the N/P ratio. The total level of free amino acids drops with proceeding development of the sclerotium.