Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods

Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W; Wahl, Jon H; Metoyer, Candace N; Colburn, Heather A; Wahl, Karen L

doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01334.x

Title: Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods

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Abstract

The toxic protein ricin is of concern as a potential biological threat agent (BTA) Recently, several samples of ricin have been seized in connection with biocriminal activity. Analytical methods are needed that enable federal investigators to determine how the samples were prepared, to match seized samples to potential source materials, and to identify samples that may have been prepared by the same method using the same source materials. One commonly described crude ricin preparation method is acetone extraction of crushed castor beans. Here we describe the use of solid-phase microextraction and headspace analysis of crude ricin preparation samples to determine whether they were processed by acetone extraction. In all cases, acetone-extracted bean mash could be distinguished from un-extracted mash or mash extracted with other organic solvents. Statistical analysis showed that storage in closed containers for up to 109 days had no effect on acetone signal intensity. Signal intensity in acetone-extracted mash decreased during storage in open containers, but extracted mash could still be distinguished from un-extracted mash after 94 days.

Authors:: Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W; Wahl, Jon H; Metoyer, Candace N; Colburn, Heather A; Wahl, Karen L

Publication Date:: Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010

Research Org.:: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE

OSTI Identifier:: 984216

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-62272
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-1198; ISSN 1556-4029; 400904030; TRN: US201015%%872

DOE Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(4):908-914

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 55; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-1198

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; 99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE; ACETONE; BEANS; CASTOR; CONTAINERS; DETECTION; ORGANIC SOLVENTS; PROCESSING; PROTEINS; STORAGE; POISONING; TOXINS; ricin; processing; signature; forensics

Citation Formats


                    Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W, Wahl, Jon H, Metoyer, Candace N, Colburn, Heather A, and Wahl, Karen L. Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods.  United States: N. p., 2010. 
        Web.  doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01334.x.

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                    Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W, Wahl, Jon H, Metoyer, Candace N, Colburn, Heather A, & Wahl, Karen L. Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01334.x

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                    Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W, Wahl, Jon H, Metoyer, Candace N, Colburn, Heather A, and Wahl, Karen L. 2010.  
        "Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01334.x.

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@article{osti_984216,

  title        = {Detection of Acetone Processing of Castor Bean Mash for Forensic Investigation of Ricin Preparation Methods},

  author       = {Kreuzer-Martin, Helen W and Wahl, Jon H and Metoyer, Candace N and Colburn, Heather A and Wahl, Karen L},

  abstractNote = {The toxic protein ricin is of concern as a potential biological threat agent (BTA) Recently, several samples of ricin have been seized in connection with biocriminal activity. Analytical methods are needed that enable federal investigators to determine how the samples were prepared, to match seized samples to potential source materials, and to identify samples that may have been prepared by the same method using the same source materials. One commonly described crude ricin preparation method is acetone extraction of crushed castor beans. Here we describe the use of solid-phase microextraction and headspace analysis of crude ricin preparation samples to determine whether they were processed by acetone extraction. In all cases, acetone-extracted bean mash could be distinguished from un-extracted mash or mash extracted with other organic solvents. Statistical analysis showed that storage in closed containers for up to 109 days had no effect on acetone signal intensity. Signal intensity in acetone-extracted mash decreased during storage in open containers, but extracted mash could still be distinguished from un-extracted mash after 94 days.},

  doi          = {10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01334.x},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/984216},
  journal      = {Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(4):908-914},

  issn         = {0022-1198},

  number       = 4,

  volume       = 55,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010},

  month        = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010}

}

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