Abstract: A process for isolating ergot alkaloids from culture suspensions, in which after mechanical filtration, the residue is dried in a fluidized drying bed and the alkaloids are extracted with an aprotic organic solvent, reextracted with a weakly acidic aqueous solution which is subsequently made basic, and finally extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent, from which the alkaloids are isolated in a conventional manner. In certain instances, the culture suspension is stirred with an adsorbent clay to entrain the water-soluble alkaloids.

Abstract: Ergoline derivatives including alkaloids and 9,10-dihydroalkaloids of the ergotoxine group and including ergometrine are made by forming a submerged culture under aerobic conditions by inoculation of an aqueous medium containing a carbon source, an organic or inorganic nitrogen source or both of these sources, and nutrient salts, the inoculum being spores obtained from a strain of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. deposited under number IMET PA 130, and then, after completion of the cultivation, extracting the formed alkaloids from the culture and, if necessary, 9,10-dihydrogenating the extracted alkaloids, and converting the alkaloids into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.