Question

Sclerotia of Claviceps purpurea responsible for the infamous St. Anthony's Fire is believed to contain

• A. Ethyl Alcohol
• B. Methyl Acohol
• C. Lysergic acid diethylamide
• D. Triethylamine

Hint:

Ergot alkaloids contain the tetracyclic ergoline ring system and are chemically synthesized or biologically related to lysergic acid. Albert Hofmann first synthesized LSD-25 from ergot alkaloids.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Claviceps purpurea is an ascomycete fungus that infects rye and other cereals.
The fungus replaces the host ovary with a hard, dark survival structure called a sclerotium (or ergot).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Consuming grains contaminated with ergot sclerotia leads to a toxic condition known as ergotism, historically called "St. Anthony's Fire."
This condition is characterized by dry gangrene, burning pain in the limbs, convulsions, and hallucinations.
The sclerotia of Claviceps purpurea contain a rich mixture of ergot alkaloids.
These alkaloids are chemical derivatives of lysergic acid.
While Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is technically a semi-synthetic compound synthesized in the laboratory from ergot-derived lysergic acid, standard multiple-choice questions on this topic identify "Lysergic acid diethylamide" (or lysergic acid derivatives) as the key psychoactive constituent related to these sclerotia.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C) Lysergic acid diethylamide.