This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Concept of health and disease, Subject name: Social & Preventive Medicine
Claviceps purpurea is an active ingredient in which of the following toxin? 
Select and explain. 
A. Aflatoxin, B. Sanguinarine, C. Pyrazolidone, D. Ergot alkaloid
D: Ergot alkaloid
Answer: D: Ergot alkaloid 
Explanation: Rye, Wheat, Oats, Barley, and BajraThese grains, when badly stored, allow growth of fungus Claviceps purpurea, consumption of which may cause ergot poisoning.Ergot is the dried sclerotium (compact mycelium or spawn) of the parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea, which grows on cereals like rye, barley, wheat, oats, etc. (principally on rye and barely in wet seasons and in ill-drained soils.) It gradually invades the interior of the cereal/grain, producing a curved, dark-purple or black compact mass called sclerotium.It contains about thiy alkaloids, but ergotoxin, ergotamine, and ergometrine are impoant. Ergotoxin promotes contraction of the uterus in later months of pregnancy. By contracting the aerioles, it eventually causes gangrene. It is the most impoant factor in ergot poisoning.Ref: Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology; 5th edition; Page no: 480