Metabolic changes in a conidia-induced Claviceps paspali strain during submerged fermentation.

Chemical changes in the mycelium of the conidial Claviceps paspali mutant strain, isolated after gamma irradiation, were followed during the course of submerged fermentation and compared with the mycelial parent strain; both strains are capable of producing simple lysergic acid derivatives. The syntheses of lipids, carbohydrates, phosphates, nucleic acids, proteins, and alkaloids, as well as nutrient uptake, were determined. It was found that conidiation induced by mutagenic treatment was accompanied by a set of changes in the metabolic pattern. In the conidial mutant, the primary and secondary metabolic activities were repressed and the protein to nonprotein compound ratio of the cells was changed in favour of protein compounds.