Links Between Genetic Groups, Host Specificity, and Ergot-Alkaloid Profiles within Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. on Slovenian Grasses

Abstract

In the present study, the genetic relationships and ergot-alkaloid production of the fungus Claviceps purpurea on grasses were investigated, to determine any associations between grass host specificity, ergot-alkaloid production, and geographic origin. C. purpurea sclerotia were obtained from wild and cultivated grasses along a 300-km climatic gradient, from sub-Mediterranean to continental climates. Twenty-one infected grass samples provided 39 sclerotia for analysis of the ergot alkaloids ergometrine, ergosine, ergotamine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, and ergocristine, and their “-inine” epimers, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. C. purpurea ribosomal DNA underwent molecular classification to determine any grass host or geographic specificity of ergot-alkaloid composition for the different operational taxonomic units. Molecular analysis of sclerotia ribosomal DNA showed three genetic groups, with some associations with specific grass host taxonomic groups. The ergot-alkaloid composition data were in agreement with the data obtained by molecular methods. The most frequent ergot-alkaloid epimers were ergocristine, and ergosine. The total ergot-alkaloid concentrations in sclerotia varied from 59 to 4,200 mg kg–1, which corresponds to 0.059 to 4.2 mg kg–1 in animal feed (assuming ergot alkaloids at 1,000 mg kg–1 sclerotia). Therefore, grasses can be associated with significant levels of ergot alkaloids. In addition, the ergot-alkaloid compositions of C. purpurea sclerotia can be different for infections with different C. purpurea genetic groups, because these show different ergot-alkaloid compositions.

Risks for animal health related to the presence of ergot alkaloids in feed

“…Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has also been used for analysis with an LOD of 50 μg/kg for the total EA content. In some of the papers included in the table, all the analysed samples contained an EA concentration above the LOQ (Korn et al, 2014, Likar et al, 2018, Slaiding and Byrd 2013, Waret-Szkuta et al, 2019. Of note, Likar et al (2018) reported EA concentrations in sclerotia collected from wild and cultivated infected grass species, while Waret-Szkuta et al ( 2019) reported the EA concentration following a case of intoxication.…”

“…Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has also been used for analysis with an LOD of 50 μg/kg for the total EA content. In some of the papers included in the table, all the analysed samples contained an EA concentration above the LOQ (Korn et al., 2014 , Likar et al., 2018 , Slaiding and Byrd 2013 , Waret‐Szkuta et al., 2019 ). Of note, Likar et al.…”

“…Of note, Likar et al. ( 2018 ) reported EA concentrations in sclerotia collected from wild and cultivated infected grass species, while Waret‐Szkuta et al. ( 2019 ) reported the EA concentration following a case of intoxication.…”

“…( 2014 ) Sclerotia of wild and cultivated infected grass Ergosine/−inine, ergocornine/−inine, ergocryptine/−inine, ergocristine/−inine, ergotamine/−inine, ergometrine/−inine 39/39 59–4200 mg/kg sclerotia LC–MS/MS; LOQ range: 0.1–1 mg/kg Sampled in Slovenia Likar et al. ( 2018 ) Feed for sows and wheat (intoxication case) Ergosine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, ergocristine, ergotamine, ergometrine 3/3 Range: 3490–16,060 μg/kg LC–MS/MS; LOQ not reported Sampled in France Waret‐Szkuta et al. ( 2019 ) Wheat (206), rye (35), triticale (101), oat (16), spelt (23) and barley (136) Ergosine/−inine, ergocornine/−inine, ergocryptine/−inine, ergocristine/−inine, ergotamine/−inine, ergometrine/−inine 83/507 14–4217 μg/kg LC–MS/MS; LOQ: 1 μg/kg Sampled in Slovenia Babic et al.…”

ERGOT Claviceps purpurea (Fries) Tulasne ALKALOID DIVERSITY AND VIRULENCE: EVOLUTION, GENETIC DIVERSIFICATION, AND METABOLIC ENGINEERING (review)

“…В ряде случаев C. purpurea проявляет слабую хозяйскую специфичность (61,160). Дикие изоляты, паразитирующие на представителях Dactylis, при заражении ржи не вызывали обычного сфацелиального плодоношения, но поддерживали рост тонких склероциев, иногда по два в соцветии, с низким содержанием алкалоидов, однако склероции приобретали привычный вид после двух циклов аксенического (in vitro) и паразитарного (на ржи) культивирования с последовательным отбором плектенхиматозного аксенического мицелия (40).…”