Ergotamine production in submerged culture and physiology of Calviceps purpurea.

Strain 275 FI of Claviceps purpurea, which produces large amounts of peptide alkaloids in submerged culture, and strains V, C, and W, spontaneously obtained from 275 FI and practically unable to produce alkaloids, were compared. Strain 275 FI differs from the other strains in its capacity to accumulate lipids and sterols, as well as in its capacity to produce alkaloids. Strain 275 FI utilizes large quantities of sucrose and citric acid simultaneously; strain V utilizes large amounts of sucrose but little citric acid; strain C utilizes large quantities of citric acid but only small amounts of sucrose; strain W consumes only small amounts of both substances. We conclude that the production of large quantities of alkaloids, as well as the accumulation of lipids and sterols, is correlated with the simultaneous utilization of large amounts of sucrose and citric acid.