Activities of catabolic pathways and alkaloid biogenesis during submerged cultivation of Claviceps sp. SD-58.

Alkaloid biogenesis in Claviceps sp. SD-58 was found to be associated with low growth and reduced consumption of sucrose and mannitol. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and aldolase increased up to 9 d of the fermentation cycle and then declined. A close parallel between the operation of pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways and tryptophan content was demonstrated. An inverse relation between the operation of citric acid and glyoxylate cycles and the ability of the cells to synthesize alkaloids was noted. The role of carbon metabolic pathways during fermentative production of alkaloids is discussed.