Ricin is one of the world’s most famous poisons, having featured in Agatha Christie novels, TV shows and real-life cold war assassination attempts. The compound is listed as a controlled substance. But what is it that makes ricin such a dangerous poison?
Ricin is a protein produced in the seeds of the castor oil plant. It is a type of carbohydrate-binding protein known as a lectin. Lectins are found throughout nature and are produced by plants, animals, bacteria and viruses. Lectins are found in various beans and grains, many of which must be cooked prior to eating to reduce their lectin content. While not all lectins are toxic, ricin is particularly potent and can be fatal in very small doses. A lethal oral dose of ricin can be as low as 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight, while just five to ten micrograms can be fatal if inhaled. Eating just two unprocessed castor seeds can be toxic. However, deaths are rare as the seeds have to be thoroughly chewed to release the ricin.
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