Chemical Properties
Various tests for the detection of Ricin are avail-
able, including “Pro-Strips” from Avant Technologies, the
BIO-911? test strip developed by Osborn Scientific
Group, Lakeside AZ. This one-step test is reported to
detect, within minutes, the presence of minute quantities of
the toxin (less than 50 nanograms); the freeze-dried assay
kit to detect crude Ricin called Ruggedized Advanced
Pathogen Identification Device (Rapid)?, Rapid LT, and
Razor instrument developed by Idaho Technologies, Inc.
Ricin is detectable in urine, plasma, and environmental
samples. Instant Chek Abrin/Ricin Detection Kit, Catalog
Number: IC-RA-003-10 Kit Contents: 10 test units each
test contains two tests (one Abrin and one Ricin) per unit,
lyophilized reagent, reconstitution buffer, wash buffer,
transfer pipettes, instruction booklet. Ey Laboratories, Inc,
107 N. Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA. 94401 USA, Toll
Free (North America)1-800-821-0044; Telephone: 1-650-
342-3296, Option 2 or 3 Fax. 11 (650) 342 2648. Also, in
2009, researchers at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein
College of Medicine have developed an accurate test.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can detect castor bean
DNA in most Ricin preparations. See also “Water
Detection,” below.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Ricin A chain inactivates the 60?S ribosomal subunit of eukaryotic cells, inhibiting protein synthesis. This toxic activity is independent of the presence of the B chain of ricin.
Potential Exposure
Potentially Fatal. Ricin, a protein
found in castor beans, is one of the most incredibly potent
and lethal substances known to humankind2500 μg (an
amount capable of fitting on the head of a pin)—is capable
of killing an adult within a few days. The castor plant, and
their beans, is an important industrial plant and vast
amounts of castor plants and beans are grown commer-
cially. The castor plant, originally native to Africa, is an
attractive plant that can be found in people’s yards as orna-
mentals. If the flowers are removed before they produce
seeds, the risk of accidents can be averted. Ricin poisoning
can occur following accidental ingestion of castor beans. In
some countries castor beans are used as beads on neck-
laces; both children and adults have eaten just a few beans
and died from the poison. This invasive 8 to 10 foot tall
plant can be found in more than 25 US states and other
places, including Australia. The plants die in freezing
weather. The beans are turned into important and valuable
industrial products. After the castor oil is squeezed from
the castor beans, about 5% of what’s left is Ricin.
Although people have used weak castor oil as a laxative,
purgative, and general folk-medicine “cure all,” pure Ricin
kills in a few days. Ricin gets into the body’s cells and
inhibits protein synthesis. Once this essential mechanism is
halted, within hours the body’s systems begins to shut
down and the body begins to die. Ricin poisoning is not
contagious and does not spread from person to person.
Because Ricin isn’t a living thing but rather a chemical
made by living things, it probably would NOT make as effective a military weapon as viruses or bacteria like the
ebola virus or anthrax. Nevertheless, it would make an
effective terrorist weapon because it’s easy to make and
easy to use. It is estimated that a ton of Ricin would be
required to produce a mass casualty biological weapon.
With no known antidote ? , vaccine, or other effective ther-
apy available for Ricin poisoning, the threat of this agent
being released into the environment as an aerosol, or added
to the food or water supply, could be catastrophic. Ricin is
extremely hazardous when freeze-dried, forming a light,easily-dispersed powder. For this reason, research labora-
tory personnel are usually directed to avoid freeze-drying
Ricin.
? Note: Various public and private sector organiza-
tions are working on the development of antibody therapy
that shows promise in neutralizing Ricin in animals. If suc-
cessful, this therapy could result in a vaccine for humans
and potentially reduce the threat of Ricin being used as a
terrorist weapon.
Shipping
UN3172 Toxins, extracted from living sources,
liquid, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous
materials, Technical Name Required. UN3462 Toxins,
extracted from living sources, solid, n.o.s., Hazard Class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name
Required.
Purification Methods
Ricin (toxin from Castor bean Ricinus communis) [A chain 96638-28-7, B chain 96638-29-8] Mr ~30,000, amorphous. Crude ricin, obtained by aqueous extraction and (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, is chromatographed on a galactosyl-Sepharose column with sequential elution of pure ricin. The second peak is due to ricin agglutinin. [Simmons & Russell Anal Biochem 146 206 1985.] It is an inhibitor of protein synthesis. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, USE EXTREME CARE [instructions accompany product].
Incompatibilities
Product is considered stable at ambient
temperature. Ricin and other protein toxins can be destroyed
by exposure to 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution (household
bleach) for 10 minutes. The toxic portion of Ricin is heat
stable at ambient temperatures and begins to decompose at
60℃/140 ℃. At 80℃/176 ℃ most of the toxicity is lost in
about 30 minutes. When heated to decomposition, Ricin emits
toxic nitrogen oxides. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers.
Waste Disposal
Do not clean-up or dispose of
Ricin, except under supervision of a specialist.
