What is ricin?
Ricin is a highly potent toxin. The ricin toxic protein acts as a cellular poison.
Ricin is fatal to humans in small doses. One milligram of ricin is enough to kill an adult. Ricin can be dangerous when inhaled or ingested.
Ricin is extracted from castor beans found on the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). The castor bean plant is found all over the world. Ricin comes from the mash when the castor beans are grinded into oil.
Uses for ricin includes: - Chemical reagent
- Bioweapon
When ricin is inhaled or ingested symptoms are shown within 8 hours, and time to death would likely be 36 to 72 hours depending on the dose received.
For more information on ricin go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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