Ricin

News: On 7 November, Gujarat ATS allegedly seized 4 kg castor-bean mash from Hyderabad doctor planning ricin extraction and surveying markets in Delhi and Ahmedabad as potential attack sites.

About Ricin

• Ricin is the byproduct that remains after oil has been extracted from castor seeds.
• It is a toxic glycoprotein that shuts down protein synthesis in mammalian cells and causes cell death.
• It was first isolated in 1888 by the German scientist Peter Hermann Stillmark from castor seeds.
• Biochemistry
  • Ricin is classified as a type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP).
    • Whereas type 1 RIPs are composed of a single protein chain that possesses catalytic activity,
  • Type 2 RIPs, also known as holotoxins, are composed of two different protein chains that form a heterodimeric complex.
• Weapon agent: It is classified as a Grade B biological weapon agent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and as a Schedule 1 chemical warfare agent under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Uses of Ricin
  • Ricin can be used as a terrorism agent in the form of a powder, mist, pellet, or can be dissolved in water or weak acid.
  • Ricin has been used experimentally in medicine in bone marrow transplants and to kill cancer cells.
• Processes ricin poisoning: Poisoning can take place by inhalation of liquid or powdered ricin released into the air.
• Cure of ricin poisoning
  • There is no specific cure or antidote for ricin poisoning.
  • If exposure happens, Avoid exposure first, and if exposed, remove ricin from the body as quickly as possible.