Loss of sporidesmin from spores ofPithomyces chartarum(Berk. & Curt.) M. B. Ellis

Abstract
Sporidesmin ean be rapidly eluted by water from spores of Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M. B. Ellis. When aqueous extraets eontaining the toxin are exposed to bright sunlight sporidesmin is ehanged to other material whieh is not toxie, or is very mueh less toxie for HeLa eells. Loss of toxin from spores ean oeeur quite rapidly under field eonditions.