| Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Appearance]
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. | [Stability:]
Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. | [CAS DataBase Reference]
9009-86-3 | [EPA Substance Registry System]
Ricin (9009-86-3) |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [Uses]
As a tool in studies of cell-surface properties; experimentaly in cancer research. | [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. | [First aid]
No antidote exists for Ricin. Make all exposed
people go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Make all potentially exposed people shower and change
clothes. In case you have gotten Ricin on your skin or your
clothing, immediately shower and change clothes. See a
doctor as soon as possible: Since it can take only a day and
a half for symptoms to appear, all exposed persons should
get to a doctor that same day. If exposure includes contact
with Ricin, remove it off or out of the body as quickly as
possible. Treatment needs to be provided in a hospital set-
ting. Make the doctors and nurses aware of the potential for
exposure so that they can protect themselves; and provide
the most appropriate treatments and therapies. If you have
to wait for medical assistance, make the victim comfortable. If Ricin has been ingested, the airway must be
secured and stomach pumping (gastric lavage) may be con-
sidered. Vigorous gastric lavage is recommended only if it
can be done shortly after ingestion (generally within
1 hour). Risk of aggravating injury to the lining of the gas-
trointestinal (GI) tract must be considered.
To minimize the effects of the poisoning and to keep the
patient stable, Ricin poisoning is treated through supportive
therapy. The types of supportive medical care would
depend on several factors, such as the route by which vic-
tim(s) were poisoned (i.e., whether poisoning was by inha-
lation, ingestion, eye, or skin exposure). Do not induce
vomiting. Rinse mouth, flush stomach with activated
charcoal ? (if the Ricin has been very recently ingested),
washing out the victim’s eyes with water, especially if the
eyes are red and irritated. Supportive care could include
intravenous fluid input and support of circulation and respi-
ration; giving medications to treat conditions such as sei-
zure and low blood pressure. Fluid input is critical, as fluid
losses of up to 2- 1
/
2 liters are probable. If individual is
drowsy or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth. In
the event of vomiting, lean patient forward or place on left
side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain open air-
way and prevent aspiration. Fluid and electrolyte balance
should be monitored and restored if abnormal. Early and
aggressive IV fluid and electrolyte replacement. If the vic-
tim’s lungs fill with fluid, you administer oxygen if his
breathing is difficult or labored.
| [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. | [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. | [Description]
Ricin is a heterodimeric ribosomeinhibiting
protein consisting of an A-chain (RTA), linked by
a disulphide bond to the B-chain (RTB). The total molecular
weight is 66 000 Da, with the A-chain contributing 32 kDa,
and the B-chain 34 kDa. The A-chain is a globular protein
composed of 267 amino acids containing eight alpha
helices and eight beta sheets, with the toxin’s substrate
binding site located within the cleft. The B-chain is the
binding lectin composed of 262 amino acids, shaped like
a barbell, and has a binding site specific for membrane
sugars at each end (galactose and N-acetyl galactosamine). | [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. | [Waste Disposal]
Do not clean-up or dispose of
Ricin, except under supervision of a specialist. | [Carcinogenicity]
No carcinogenic effects of ricin
have been reported. The National Library of Medicine’s
on-line database HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data
Bank) (http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) contains a number of references
showing the potential for ricin to be used as an
anticancer drug. Ricin has strong cytostatic effect against
transplanted malignancies in mice. | [storage]
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison (Toxic):Store in a secure, locked poison location. Store in a cool,dry, well-ventilated area and away from food stuffcontainers. | [Toxicity evaluation]
Ricin contains two basic components necessary for it to enter
cells and inhibit protein synthesis. The ligand portions of the
B-chain act to bind to galactose moieties of the cell membrane
and facilitate endocytosis of the entire ricin molecule into the
cell, where it is transported via endosomes to the Golgi
apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Once there, the
A-chain is translocated into the cytosol where N-glycosidase
modifies a base (A4324) in an exposed loop of the 28S rRNA
fragment of the 60S RNA chain. Requiring no energy or
cofactors, it catalytically and irreversibly inactivates the 60S
ribosomal subunit, halting all further protein synthesis, and
thereby causing severe cytotoxic effects on multiple organ
systems. |
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