Identification of markers of ricin-containing object consumption in blood and urine

Background: The determination of acute and fatal poisoning caused by cytotoxic substances remains a critical issue in forensic medical examination. Ricin belongs to this group of substances and is its most toxic representative. It may cause irreversible health consequences in the human body.

Aim: To develop a rapid analysis method for detecting marker substances to establish ricin poisoning in biological samples for forensic medical purposes.

Materials and methods: The study describes optimal conditions for the isolation of ricinine and ricinoleic acid as marker substances indicating the presence of ricin. The extraction process was examined in blood and urine. The study utilized advanced chromatographic techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).

Results: Based on the study findings, a rapid method for detecting ricinine and ricinoleic acid in biological fluids was developed, requiring only 200 µL of biological material. Chromatographic and mass spectrometric characteristics for the identification of ricinine and ricinoleic acid were determined. The presence of toxic ricinine was confirmed in processed products of castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds, which may pose a risk of human poisoning.

Conclusion: The study presents an express method for forensic chemical and toxicological investigation of ricin poisoning using chromatographic techniques — high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). This method is based on the detection of marker substances, ricinine and ricinoleic acid, in biological samples.