This paper uses LC/MS technology to analyze the crude extract of ergot fungus, identify and characterize its ergot alkaloid content. Alkaloids possessing a lysergic acid structure were identified with a nano LC/MS ion trap system and purified using mass based fraction collection. The purified alkaloids were then structurally characterized with MSn experiments. Several well-known ertgot alkaloids were identified and several so far unknowns were determined and structurally characterized using MSn.
This document details a method for analyzing crude extracts of ergot fungus to identify and characterize ergot alkaloids. The study utilizes an Agilent 1100 Series nano LC system coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer for initial identification based on lysergic acid structures (m/z 223 or 208).
Unknown alkaloids are purified using an Agilent 1100 Series purification system in mass-based fraction collection mode.