Examining The Forensic Toxicity of Ricin Using Lc/Ms Techniques

Abstract

As one the naturally occurring toxins, Ricin is classified among the deadliest poisons available. Ricin and

Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA120) are derived from the castor bean plant. Ricin and its related activities

can be detected using either mass spectrometric (MS) assay or Liquid Chromatography (LC). Further, the

two methods can be to differentiate ricin from RCA120 because it is less toxic of the two. The sequence of

Amino acid is identified by monitoring the active ricin using mass spectrometric. This study discusses how

LC and MS methods can be applied to quantify, detect, and differentiate ricin from RCA120 in test samples.

On the overall, the two methods were applied to tell aside ricin samples from RCA120. The study concluded

that mass spectrometry is the most efficient approach in identifying ricin from RCA120.