A new method for isolation of saprophytic cultures of Claviceps fusiformis from sclerotia.

The proposed method includes primary and secondary treatments. Of the various disinfectants tested, 1-propanol and 1-butanol as a primary treatment and phenol, resorcinol, HgC12 or NaCl as a secondary treatment completely eliminated the contamination hazard. 1-Butanol and phenol were not useful disinfectants since they inhibited the growth of C. fusiformis along with the other contaminants. Primary and secondary treatment of sclerotia with 1-propanol and resorcinol, respectively, produced the maximum of stable cultures. Out of 120 cultures tested, 5 cultures demonstrated an appreciable yield of alkaloids under submerged cultural conditions.