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Ergot Essay example

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Ergot

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea Tul.) is a poisonous fungus that is hazardous to animals and humans. It appears to be a small, hard, black, elongated structure that grows on and contaminants grains, which is called scelrotium. The appearance tends to look like mold. When eaten in quantity or small amounts over a period of time it can be highly toxic. Furthermore, it is a major problem for humans in North America but even more severe for animals. Humans are susceptible to being contaminated with this poisonous fungus because ergot can grow on mushrooms, rye, wheat, and barley. These are products that humans ingest everyday. Ergot is the most notorious poison because it includes several species of ascomycete fungi with complex life cycles …show more content…

The infection can occur by insects also.

According to Fuller and McClintock, ergotism has caused so many occurrences in epidemic and the middle ages was known as St. Anthony's fire. In France many people died from this disease, which was caused mainly from eating bread made from rye grains contaminated with ergot (p. 20).

Plant Toxin/Derivative Drug

Researchers state over fifty alkaloids are within the ergot sclerotia, but mainly ergonovine (also known as ergometrine, ergobasine, ergotocine, ergotstetrine C19H23N3O2, ergotamine C33H35N5O5,ergotcryptine C32H41N5O5, ergocornine C31H39N5O5, ergocristine C35H39N5O5, ergosine C30H37N5O5, and ergovalide) is present in ergot. Most of the alkaloids contain thirty to thirty-five carbon atoms, although some have a smaller number. Therefore, these alkaloids can be classified as polypeptides. All ergot alkaloids form lysergic acid. Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, is the most powerful compound known that produces imitations of severe mental disorders. Ergot alkaloids not only have the indole structure but the other ring system and side chains as well.

Symptoms

Humans and animals common acute symptoms is a convulsion stimulation of CNS (central nervous system). Chronic symptoms include damage to the lining of capillaries and constriction of the smaller arterial blood vessels resulting in gangrene of the extremities (Fuller and McClintock,19). Some

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