Abstract
Some of the factors influencing the stability of the fluid extract of ergot have been studied.
Storage at elevated temperatures has been found to be a potent factor in bringing about deterioration of the physiologically active alkaloids of ergot. Conversely storage at ice box temperature seems to insure stability for at least eight months.
Incubation at 50°C. for fifteen days causes pronounced deterioration of the fluid extract of ergot. The addition of oxidizing substances under these conditions markedly accelerates, while reducing substances considerably retard the rate of deterioration of the physiologically active alkaloids.
Our observations indicate that decreasing the pH of the fluid extract of ergot by varying it within the limits of 5.2 to 2.2 does not favor its stability.
Parallel assays by the colorimetric and Broom and Clark methods applied to a series of fluid extracts of ergot subjected to a wide range of deterioration gave in no instance results which might indicate a degree of discrepancy greater than that which could be accounted for by the combined probable errors of the two methods.
Footnotes
- Received July 10, 1931.
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