ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on the biological significance of the major chemical classes of compounds that have been isolated and identified from specific grass endophytes and their host associations. It focuses on the deleterious and beneficial aspects of the compounds resulting from the endophyte-grass host relationships. The research involving the chemical constituents of grass endophytes developed from the direct association of the endophytic fungi with livestock toxicides. “Ergot-like” syndromes in livestock grazing on pasture grasses have been related to endophytic fungi of the genus Balansia. The clavine and lysergic acid amide derivatives, up to and including ergonovine, were isolated from the Balansia species, suggesting that these fungi may be used as sources for these medicinal agents. Screening for fungicidal agents, with membrane-ergosterol activity, may provide compounds with therapeutic utility in the treatment of various mycoses. Ergosterol sensitivity has been employed as a bioassay for screening compounds for polyene-like antibiotic activity.
