Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins produced by fungi of the Claviceps
genus, mainly by Claviceps purpurea (Komarova & Tolkachev,
2001). Infections are mostly prevalent in cereals and wild grasses
(Naude et al., 2005). Among the cereal species, rye and triticale that
have open florets are known to be especially susceptible, but
wheat, barley, oats and other cereal grains are also potential fungal
hosts (Krska & Crews, 2008). After the infection is established,
the fungus replaces the developing grain or seed with an
alkaloid-containing hard black tuber-like wintering structure
called sclerotium, also known as ergot or ergot body. The alkaloid