A Review of Extraction and Detection of Ricin from Castor Plant and the Effect of Ricin on Humans

Ricin is a ribosome inactivating protein produced within the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). Ricin can be extracted from the mash of crushed castor seeds using different procedures. Ricin has 2 chains, the A chain and the B chain. It is extremely potent to mammals, being able to kill 1500 cells per minute in small doses. Castor bean plants are grown as an ornamental plant and are found in most households in parks around India, eastern Africa, and the south-eastern Mediterranean Basin. Methods of detection for ricin have been found, but not one that takes into account its presence in biological fluids. Ricin has also been found to be an immunotoxin against cancer, and it could be used as a medication in the future.