VIEW ARTICLE

A Method for the Detection of Ergot Contamination in Ground Triticale Grain. James E. Robbers, Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907; Veronica M. Krupinski(2), Hadi S. Sheriat(3), and Donald M. Huber(4). (2)(3)Research Fellows, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907; (4)Associate Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907. Phytopathology 65:455-457. Accepted for publication 6 November 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-455.

Utilizing Triticale ergot, official ergot (National Formulary XI) and Triticale grain, a reliable method was developed for the detection of ergot contamination in ground grain. The method involves the extraction of the ergot alkaloids from the ergot grain using solvent partitioning procedures, and then quantitatively determining the amount of alkaloid present by using a colorimetric assay. Thin-layer chromatography showed that Triticale ergot contains numerous alkaloids including the toxic compounds, ergonovine and ergocristine.