ergot

• Существительное, обозначающее грибок, поражающий злаковые растения, образующий черные массы, заменяющие зерна, и являющийся источником важных в медицине алкалоидов и лизергиновой кислоты; также заболевание растений, вызываемое этим грибком.

A noun referring to a fungus that infects cereal plants, forming black masses that replace grains, and is the source of medicinally important alkaloids and lysergic acid; also the plant disease caused by this fungus.

1. Plant disease caused by ergot fungusC2formalscientific

   A disease affecting cereal plants such as rye, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, characterized by the development of dark, hard sclerotia in place of normal grains.

   Спорынья

   • The farmers had to discard the entire harvest due to an outbreak of ergot.
   • Ergot can lead to significant crop loss if not detected early.
   • Historical records show that ergot poisoning was common in medieval Europe.

2. Fungus producing medicinal alkaloidsC2formalmedical

   The fungus Claviceps purpurea that infects cereal plants and produces hard, black masses of mycelium; a source of alkaloids used in medicine, such as ergotamine and lysergic acid, which are precursors to some pharmaceuticals.

   Гриб, вырабатывающий лекарственные алкалоиды

   • Ergot alkaloids are used to treat migraines and induce uterine contractions.
   • The isolation of lysergic acid from ergot led to the development of important drugs.
   • Researchers are studying the chemical properties of ergot for new therapeutic applications.