TLC SEPARATION AND FLUORODENSITOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF ERGOT ALKALOIDS IN INDIVIDUAL SCLERATIUM OF CLAVICEPS

A simpe, rapid and sensitive method for the separation and determination of ergometrine, lysergamide, ergotamine and ergocristine in individual Scleratium of Claviceps is described. The method is based on direct fluorodensitometry of spots after chromatography on silica gel G thin-layer plates.The excitation and emission spectra were measured. The range of linear relationship between recorded peak area and concentration was found. The limit of detection was 1×10^-8g; the average coefficient of variation of four alkaloids was 6.10%. The spots were stable within 24 hours when the plates were kept in dark.This method is particularly advantageous in searching for individual Scleratium of Claviceps with high content of certain ergot alkaloids for directive breeding.