Many fungi are directly or indirectly toxic to humans and animals. Ergot, a
fruiting body of the Claviceps purpurea fungus, contaminates grain after harvest and is
toxic to humans and animals who consume contaminated grains. The lysergic acid
diethylamide (LSD) that was widely used as a hallucinogen is best known as the ergot
alkaloids. The main symptoms of the disease caused by consuming ergot-contaminated
grain flour in humans and animals are blistering and reddening of the skin with a
burning sensation. Ergot alkaloids such as agroclavine, ergovaline, ergotamine,
ergonovine, lysergic acid, dopamine, etc., are the natural alkaloids produced by
Claviceps spp. in many cereal crops (mainly wheat, barley, rye, bajra, jowar, and
dallisgrass), but rye (triticale) is the most common host of this fungus. Contaminated
grain may cause very harmful diseases to internal organs, the circulatory and nervous
systems of animals and humans, and even they may die. Ergot alkaloids are very
important in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, this soil-borne fungus, which can
be used in the manufacturing of different types of medicines for human and animal
welfare, is very important.
Keywords: Claviceps purpurea, Ergot, Ergotism, Ergot alkaloids, Holy fire, LSD.
