Ergot Essay example - 982 Words

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. Anthonys 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). SomeShow MoreRelated Plants and Superstitions Essay1739 Words   |  7 PagesDeath. (Starkey, 1949). There have been several explanations suggested for this epidemic, but the possible explanation in my reading is compulsive ergotism. Ergot is a poisonous microscopic fungus. It grows on crops, especially rye which is used to make bread, and could cause fits and hallucinations. (see Internet Source). ... Ergot alkaloids are arguably the oldest microbial bio-pharmaceutins. They may have played a role in both the Mysteries of Eleusis and the Salem witch trials (BennettRead MoreEssay on LSD1087 Words   |  5 Pages25, now known as L.S.D., in a professional laboratory. In Lees book Acid Dreams, he tells of how Hoffman stumbled upon LSD while investigating chemical and pharmacological properties of ergot. Ergot is a rye fungus rich in medicinal alkaloids (7). While Hoffman was searching for a circulatory stimulant from ergot derivatives he stumbled upon LSD during his twenty-fifth experiment. Thus, the notion of lysergic acid diethylamide-25. Since its arrival in the drug market, LSD and other hallucinogensRead MoreSummary of Napoleons Buttons Chapter 12: Molecules of Witchcraft1836 Words   |  8 Pageshappens in the last stage. This temporarily escape from reality from these molecules brought confessions from those women and they were burnt at the stake. The Ergot Alkaloids There is another group of alkaloids that devasted communities with its effects. People attributed the disasters with evil spells casted by witches. Theyre found in the ergot fungus that affects cereal grains such as rye. After bacteria and viruses, ergotism is the next-largest microbial killer, like how ergotamine causes bloodRead MoreTaking a Look Inside Hallucinogens Essay950 Words   |  4 Pagesof 23. He began work as a natural products chemist in Basel. He worked on ergot alkaloids, substances produced by the ergot fungus that infects grain. These substances occur naturally, making studying them less expensive. Ergot extracts had been used for hundreds of years by midwifes to stop excessive bleeding after childbirth. They are very potent in extremely small doses, and Hofman realized that he could build upon ergot alkaloids to create new types of drugs. Under certain chemical conditionsRead MoreThe Use Of Lsd And Its Effects On The Brain2369 Words   |  10 Pagesavailability o f LSD become scarce with the criminalization of the substance, but the legislation also put a halt on the research of the chemical as well. Much of the way LSD interacts with the brain has been left unknown. This derivative from the rye fungus Ergot has been the source of controversy that has left many people wondering why LSD has been classified as a drug that is just as dangerous to use as heroin. It becomes difficult for an individual to understand how legislation could criminalize a chemicalRead MoreClassical Psychedelics And Dissociative Drugs931 Words   |  4 Pagesthat much of a challenge, considering the location in where to look and what to offer to the table when dealing with the anonymous street pharmacists. The origin or specifically, production, of Lysergic acid diethylamide can be narrowed down to the Ergot Fungus (Claviceps purpurea), a parasite commonly located on rye and other species of grain or wild grasses (Schumann 2016).Read MoreSalem Witches and Ergot of Rye Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesSalem Witches and Ergot of Rye While researching texts written about the Salem Witch Trials, I found a few authors who published articles and books about the Salem Witch Trials. These authors often showed that the most likely cause of the fits coming from the victims was produced by ergot of rye. However, I could not find much discussion about another important source of the fits’ cause: witchcraft. My goal in this paper is to produce a convincing argument that the victims during the Salem WitchRead MoreThe Salem Witch Trial1152 Words   |  5 Pagesthat adds up to causing convulsive hysteria and also hallucinations which were caused by Ergot Poisoning. So, here is where the role of Convulsive Hysteria and Ergotism comes in play. The ergot poisoning in Salem villagers’ every day meal of bread made with ‘rye’ leads to severe physical disorders, hallucination of witches and devils, and other serious symptoms. The symptoms of convulsive Hysteria and ergot poisoning are very much similar to the symptoms of bewitchment that the afflicted girls inRead MoreThe Witches Of Salem Witch Trials1371 Words   |  6 Pagesand hanged. Notably, ergot poisoning was a highly considered theory for the Salem trials. Farming conditions in the western part of Salem Village, Putnam farmland, were warm, damp, and swampy, the perfect environment for fungus to grow. The poison from ergot would grow in rye and cereal grains. Thus, leading the afflicted to experience symptoms, including hallucinations, convulsions, confusion, delusions, and the feeling of being bitten or pinched. Researchers identify that â€Å"Ergot poisoning affectsRead MoreThe Causes Of The Salem Witch Trials1382 Words   |  6 Pagesvery cold and it is possible that the girls acted out due to the conditions. However, of the many theories, I believe that the Ergot theory is the most believable because it is a poison that causes hallucinations, it grows on crops, and there was a very wet period before the trials, which could have sparked the abrupt illness. Hallucinations are a big side effect to the ergot epidemic and can be seen in the Salem Witch Trials. Hallucinations means, â€Å"a sensory experience of something that does not exist