VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON ERGOSIN

In order to make ergosine available for wide pharmaceutical use there is a need for Claviceps strains which are capable of saprophytic production of ergosine which is virtually free of additional alkaloids, and which are distinguished by stability, high alkaloid production and good fermentation properties. This is achieved by using for the preparation of ergosine the strain Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. IBP 179, its mutants or variants. The strain produces a total alkaloid mixture (about 900-1300 mu g/ml of nutrient medium) of which at least 50% of the alkaloids can be extracted with organic solvents (about 80-90% ergosine/ergosinine and 10-20% easily removable substances). The strain is cultivated by aerobic fermentation in a liquid nutrient medium which contains an assimilable carbon source, an assimilable nitrogen source and mineral salts, in a surface and/or submerged culture at a temperature of 20-30 DEG C and a pH of 4.0-6.2 for a period of 7-35 days. 95% of the produced alkaloids are released into the nutrient medium, from which ergosine/ergosinine is isolated.