1. Alkaloids in FungiRayeess Ahmad Dar MSc. Bioresources Semester 3rdRoll No. 23352 University of KashmirHazratbal Srinagar

2. AlkaloidsAlkaloids are the cyclic organic compoundsin which nitrogen forms a part of the cyclesystem and are physiologically active aspoisons and drugs. 3. Alkaloids are mostly produced by plants. However, some are derived from bacteria,fungi, animals. Synthesized from amino acids. 4. Classification 1. True (Typical Alkaloids): Derived from aminoacids and have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring.Atropine. 2. Protoalkaloids: Derived from amino acids and donot have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring. Ephedrine. 3. Pseudo alkaloids: Not derived from amino acidsbut have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring. Caffeine. 4. False alkaloids: Non alkaloids which give falsepositive reaction with alkaloidal reagents. 5. Main Functions They act as protective agents against insects,herbivores due to their bitterness and toxicity.So, they can be used as biopesticides andbioinsecticides. They also act as a source of nitrogen in case ofnitrogen deficiency. Many of them have medicinal properties. 6. Some of the Alkaloids present in Fungi 7. Alkaloids From Ergot Fungi Ergot fungi belong to the Claviceps genera. These fungi affect rye (mostly), wheat, barley. The fungi produce alkaloids such asErgotamine, Ergometrine, Ergonaline andvarious other Clavine alkaloids. Has the biological activity as vasoconstrictors. 8. Ergotamine It has the biological activity as avasoconstrictor. It is used medicinally for the treatment ofacute migrain attacks (sometimes incombination with caffeine). It has been used to prevent post-partumhemorrhage (bleeding after child birth). It was first isolated by Arthur Stoll in 1918. 9. Methergin is the brand name ofthe drug that has been derivedfrom Ergot and is used to stoppost natal bleeding 10. ergotamine Ergot on rye 11. However, high doses of ergot alkaloids ortaking the infected grains lead to Ergotism. It is characterized by spasms, diarrhea, headaches, vomiting etc. 12. Loline alkaloids These are insecticidal and insect-deterrentcompounds. These are produced in grasses infected byendophytic fungal symbionts of the genusEpichloe and Neotyphodium. First isolated from the grass Loliumtemulentum. 13. Psilocybin Produced by about 200 species of mushroomscollectively called psilocybin mushrooms (such asPsilocybe azurescens, P. cyanescens and a number ofother genera). When ingested, psilocybin is turned into psilocinwithin the body, which in turn is responsible forhallucinations, changes in perception, a distortedsense of time and can include possible adversereactions such as nausea and panic attacks. 14. Psilocybe azurescens - Flying Psilocybe cyanescensSaucers 15. Oxaline Derived from Penicillium oxalicum, whichusually grows on dead and decaying matter. This alkaloid was found to arrest the cell cycleby inhibition of tubulin polymerisation. 16. Penicillium rot caused by Penicillium oxalicum in thecorn 17. Paramine Produced by some grass infectingNeotyphodium species. The alkaloid protects the grass againestgrazing by mammals and insects. This alkaloid can also be used asbioinsecticide and biopesticide.