1. The Biology of Weaponized Toxins
Written by Raymond Saiz, Robert Crannage, and Amorray

2. Overview History of Toxins Ricin Cyanide Adrenaline Symptoms
Chemical Effects/Structure
Where it’s found

3. Ricin on a Molecular Level
One molecule of Ricin contains two long chains. When separated, these chains are not dangerous. However, when they are bonded, Ricin molecules containing both chains can cause cell death in humans.
These two chains are named A and B, these chains share a bond formed by a disulfide bridge.

4. Chain A & B
When allowed into the cell, chain A blocks the production site of enzymes essential to the cell. The affected cell soon dies.
Chain A alone cannot get into a cell.
Chain B binds to a carbohydrate component located on the exterior side of a cell membrane. This process allows entry for chain A.
Chain B alone only binds to a cell membrane.

5. Ricin
Ricinus Communis is a natural poison produced by various plants. This toxin has a recorded LD50 of 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. So if an individual weight about 70 km were to be exposed to 7 micrograms of ricin, it is considered to be life- threatening.
However, the route of consumption and the state of the person’s immune system can mean the difference between life and death.

6. Ricin Extended
There is NO antidote to Ricin, though there is a vaccine consisting of chain B. The vaccine is made for those who commonly come into contact with the toxin.
Methods of use in murder commonly involve injection, consumption and inhalation.
It has been suggested to use Ricin as a treatment to eliminate rogue cells.

7. Ricin weaponization
In World War II, through the use of cluster bomblets made to disperse a cloud of Ricin that would not only kill via direct exposure, but also through exposure to items contaminated with Ricin.
This attempt had been ineffective as the chemical agent had been speedily detoxified by ozone and nitrogen dioxide, which break the bond between both of Ricin’s chains.

8. Where it occurs The Castor Bean plant contains Ricinus Communis.
Ricin is commonly extracted from the castor seeds (beans) left over pulp after the oil has been squeezed out.
The procedure for creating ricin involves removing the outer part of the bean and then cooking the beans. Next the beans are mashed and filtered. Solvents are added to extract the ricin from the solution.
Castor Bean Oil has recorded healing properties.

9. Ricin Symptoms Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea
Hypertension-High Blood Pressure
G.I. Hemorrhage-Blood found in stools
Retinal Hemorrhage-Bursting ocular blood vessels
Loss of eye tissue (American Association of Poison Control Centers)
Ricin
Dr. Toolson
Symptoms

10. Cyanide on a Molecular Level
Cyanide binds to an iron atom found within cytochrome oxidase (i.e. the enzyme’s activation site within the membrane of cell mitochondria).
Cytochrome oxidase is the catalyst to oxygen’s oxidation of glucose. This process causes a release of energy and thus, essential for life.

11. Cyanide’s effects
When Cyanide bonds to it’s target, cytochrome oxidase is rendered inactive and blocks transferring electrons to oxygen in the final stage of oxidation; with that, energy is not released.
Without the release of energy, a slow-to-fast death will occur in an organism.
A lethal dose for an adult ranges from 50 mg to 250 mg, though there are some cases where the victim had been exposed to far more and survived.

12. Disrupting Cyanide
The bond between Cyanide and cytochrome oxidase can only be broken by a chemical attack.
An antidote made for Cyanide consists of the combination of Sodium Thiosulfate and Sodium Nitrite.

13. Cyanide to plants
The oxidase enzyme found in the mitochondria of plants are different from that of an animal’s, and though it may be less effective, plants’ oxidase enzymes are immune to cyanide.
Seeds and pits of apricots, apples and peaches contain cyanide and have been grounded for its toxicity.
Cyanide is also found in almonds, lima beans, barley, flaxseed and bamboo shoot.
The smell of bitter almonds is an indication that cyanide is present.

14. Cyanide Symptoms Weakness Dizziness Coma Seizure
Metabolic Acidosis-Too much acid in the body.
Nausea
Vomiting
(AAPCC)
Cyanide
Symptoms

15. Adrenaline
Epinephrine, or the more commonly known Adrenaline, is a chemical secreted from an organism’s Adrenal glands (one is located above each of the kidneys). Adrenaline is a neurotransmitter that is secreted due to action potentials sent from the brain in times of stress.
When Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, the skin’s blood vessels constrict and that of the muscles (and liver) widens. In addition, the Iris’ of the eyes retracts, granting a larger field of vision. The salient effect of Adrenaline is how it excites the heart.

16. Adrenaline as a Toxin
The chemical Adrenaline is made synthetically to create lifesaving drugs such as the EpiPen.
Adrenaline is also a toxic chemical when given in large doses, especially to those with a weak heart. The overdose of Adrenaline can bring about the destruction of the heart due to it’s own beating.
The LD50 of Adrenaline is 4 mg per kilogram of body weight.

17. Treating Overexposure of Adrenaline
When an individual receives too much Adrenaline (via injection), they are treated with an antidote of beta-blockers, such as propranolol.
A recorded incident resulted in a 38 year old male being injected with 30 mg of Adrenaline and survived. The total Adrenaline given in this scenario exceeded that of the LD50 by 26 mg!

18. Adrenaline Misuse
A nurse by the name of Kristen Gilbert had used her knowledge and stocks of large doses of Adrenaline to kill many of her patients. It is estimated that she had killed at least fifty patients.
Some people actively seek-out situations in which an adrenaline rushes will occur, such as skydiving. These people are titled as ‘adrenaline junkies’.

19. Adrenaline Creation
Natural Adrenaline can be found in the Adrenal glands of an organism. It is derived from tyrosine, an amino acid.
Sometimes Epinephrine is called catecholamine because it contains the catechol moiety which is part of the molecule that contains the group C6H4(OH)2.
Prior to year 1906, injections of Adrenaline had been from living organisms.
In year 1906, a synthetic form of Adrenaline had been placed on the market.

20. Adrenaline CH3 Symptoms Confusion Slow/Fast heart rate Weakness
Slurred Speech
Pale Skin
(AAPCC)
CH3
Adrenaline
(Helmenstine)
Symptoms

21. Bibliography AAPCC, Personal Interview. 20, October 2016
Emsley, John. Molecules of Murder: Criminal Molecules and Classic Cases. Cambridge, UK, RSC Pub., 2008.
Helmenstine, Anne M., P.h.D. Epinephrine - Adrenaline. Digital image. Web.