Jequirity bean, Abrus

Abrin, from jequirity beans (Abrus precatorius), resembles ricin so closely in its action that the difference was established only when it was noted that immunity against one did not constitute immunity against the other. 

Lin J-Y, Lee T-C, Hu S-T et al. (1981). Isolation of four isotoxic proteins and one agglutinin from jequiriti bean (Abrus precatorius). Toxicon, 19, 41-51. 

Toxin derived from the seeds of the Rosary pea or Jequirity bean (Abrus pecatorius). Powdered abrin is yellowish-white it is soluble in water and stable. Two glycoprotein chains acidic chain (30000D) - inhibits protein synthesis neutral chain (35 000D) - binds to cell wall and facilitates entry. Effects similar to ricin qv, but it is more toxic. 

Cholanic Acid, S0-Cholan-24-oic acid ursocho-lanic acid 176 -(I -methy].3-carboxypropy])etiocholane. C H Oj mol wt 360.56. C 79.94%, H 11.18%, O 8.87%, Steroidal acid probably formed by the dehydration and hydrogenation of certain bile acids commonly found in animals. Considered to be a chemical trademark certifying the prehistoric presence of some type of animal, see Seifert, Pure Appl. Chem. 34, 633 (1973). This status as a natural product of exclusive animal origins now questioned by its isolation from the embryo of the jequirity bean, Abrus precatorius, Leguminosae Mandava et al. Steroids 23, 357 (1974). 

Delayed-action cytotoxins that inhibits protein synthesis (ribosomal inactivating protein). They are obtained from the seed of the Jequirity beans plant (Abrus precatorius). Typically yellowish-white powders that are insoluble in distilled water but soluble in salt water. They are fairly heat stable. 

Fernando, C. (2001). Poisoning due to Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean). Anaesthesia 56 1178-80. 

Abrin is a plant source Type 2 RIP. It is found in Abrus precatorius (rosary pea, Indian licorice, jequirity bean). The toxicology of abrin is considered to be very similar to ricin. A similar Abrus toxin is pulchellin, produced by A. pul-chellus (Millard and LeClaire, 2008). The rosary pea has been reported to be more toxic than castor beans (Griffiths et al, 1994). Species sensitivity is variable and horses are considered to be the most sensitive. The mature goat is considered to be a more resistant species and 2 g of seed/kg body weight is reported as a lethal dose. The lethal dose for cattle is reported at 600 mg of seed/kg body weight. It is likely that abrin is denatured in the rumen (Burrows and Tyrl, 2001). 

Abrin is a plant toxin, which is closely related to ricin in terms of its structure and chemical properties. It is obtained from the seeds of Abrus pre-catorius (commonly known as jequirity bean or rosary pea ), a tropical vine cultivated as an ornamental plant in many locations. Jequirity beans are usually scarlet in colour with a black spot at one end (though less common different coloured varieties exist) and are approximately 3x8 mm in size. 

Jequirity (rosary bean, Abrus precatorius) is grown as an ornamental vine in tropical climates. The beans are 6 mm. (1/4 inch) long, bright orange with one black end. They are used as rosary beads and as decorations for costumes. 

Abrin, crystalline Abrus precatorius seeds (jequirity beans)... 

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