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Ricin antidote3/16/2023 ![]() ![]() The seed-pulp left over from pressing for castor oil contains on average about 5% by weight of ricin. Ricin is easily purified from castor-oil manufacturing waste. Since people do not get sick from eating large amounts of such products, ricin A is of extremely low toxicity as long as the B chain is not present. Many plants such as barley have the A chain but not the B chain. Ricin B is a lectin that binds galactosyl residues and is important in assisting ricin A's entry into a cell by binding with a cell surface component.Ricin A is an N- glycoside hydrolase that targets and depurinates an adenine base at the 28s rRNA gene, resulting in an inhibition of protein biosynthesis.Ricin consists of two distinct protein chains (almost 30 kDa each) that are linked to each other by a disulfide bond: The case experience is not as negative as popular perception would indicate. A solution of saline and glucose has been used to treat ricin overdose. Eight beans are considered toxic for an adult. (See abrin).ĭeaths caused by ingestion of seeds are rare. Ricin causes severe diarrhea and victims can die of shock. Long term organ damage is likely in survivors. Symptomatic and supportive treatment is available. While there is no known antidote, the US military has developed a vaccine. Ricin is 6000 times more toxic than cyanide and 12000 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom by weight. Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested, acting as a toxin by the inhibition of protein synthesis. 7.1 Assassination of Bulgarian Dissident Georgi Markov, London 1978.5 Use as a chemical/biological warfare agent. ![]()
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