Why in News?
Ricin is in news after the Gujarat ATS arrested three men, including a doctor, for allegedly attempting to manufacture the deadly toxin for a terror plot. The case highlights ricin’s ease of extraction from castor beans and its high lethality.
Description:
- Naturally found in castor beans (Ricinus communis).
- Also produced from waste material left after castor-oil processing.
Physical Forms: Appears as Powder, Mist, Pellet, Liquid (dissolved in water or weak acid).
Stability:
- Stable under normal environmental conditions.
- Destroyed/inactivated at temperatures > 80°C.
Toxicity:
- Highly toxic when: Inhaled, Ingested, Injected.
- Lethal dose: 5–10 micrograms per kg body weight.
Mechanism of Action:
- Enters cells → blocks protein synthesis.
- Causes cell death, organ failure → can lead to death.
Why Dangerous:
- Easy to obtain from a widely grown castor plant.
- Powerful biological weapon agent (non-volatile, stable).
Accidental Exposure: Very rare & Mostly due to chewing/swallowing castor seeds.
Treatment: No antidote & Only supportive medical care to reduce damage.
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