Toxicity of the Ricinus Communis
Ricinus communis, castor bean plant, is widely cultivated for its bean-like seeds, used in a variety of applications, including lubricants, dyes, paints, synthetic textiles and ointments. The castor "beans" are poisonous. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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The main poison in the castor seeds is ricin, a toxic protein first identified in 1888; the seeds contain a second, weaker toxin called RCA. According to Cornell University's Department of Animal Science, "Ricin is a potent cytotoxin but a weak hemagglutinin, whereas RCA is a weak cytotoxin and a powerful hemagglutinin."
Effects: Humans
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Castor beans are deadly to humans in sufficient doses. The authors of an article in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine estimated the "potentially lethal dose" at three beans for children and four to eight for adults. Symptoms of smaller doses can include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration and decreased blood pressure.
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Effects: Animals
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The lethal dose varies by species, but castor beans are at least as poisonous to animals as to humans. The most common cause of ricin poisoning in livestock, according to Cornell's Department of Animal Science, is "accidental incorporation of castor beans in their feed."
Benefits
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The toxicity of ricinus communis does have beneficial applications, chiefly as a pesticide. Studies have indicated its usefulness against aphids, European corn borers and southern corn rootworm. Traditionally, castor bean was used medicinally, with such applications as purgative, laxative, tonic, etc.
Warning
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Ricin is toxic when ingested, so if you plant it, be sure it is located away from areas where children or pets might find and try to eat the beans, which are pretty and colorful. It is also toxic when injected, as was the case in a 1978 murder. RCA is when injected, but not when ingested.
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