Plant-parasitic nematodes cause great damage to tomato production, which consequently has a deleterious economic impact on producers. For decades, parasitic control has relied on chemical nematicides with toxic environmental effects. Currently, an emerging option is the use of plant extracts, which offer suitable control of these plant pathogens without causing environmental damage. Therefore, in this study we examine the activity of three plant extracts to reduce the population of plant-parasitic nematodes that cause root gall formation in tomato plants, using in vitro tests and greenhouse experiments. First, a molecular identification of the nematodes was performed, identifying the pathogen species as Meloidogyne incognita and Nacobbus aberrans. Then, different extract concentrations were obtained from plant tissues of Cosmos bipinnatus, Ricinus communis, and Tagetes erecta. It was found that C. bipinnatus extract presented the highest nematode immobility, followed by T. erecta, reducing populations by up to 95 to 100%. Nevertheless, according to the germination tests on tomato seeds, the extracts also seem to have a minimal phytotoxic effect on the development/first growth stage of tomato plants under greenhouse conditions.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins are a class of toxins that target eukaryotic ribosomes, inhibit protein synthesis, and ultimately induce cell death. Several of these toxins pose significant clinical and public health threats. Among these, ricin, derived from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), is a highly potent biotoxin with recognized bioterrorism potential. Other ribosome-inactivating proteins, including Shiga toxin produced by pathogenic Shigella and Escherichia coli, as well as mucoricin from Mucorales fungi, contribute to disease severity and can lead to life-threatening complications. Despite these risks, no approved therapeutics are currently available. The development of effective inhibitors depends on robust and well-defined strategies to identify and validate small molecules that disrupt toxin-ribosome interactions. Efforts to target the catalytic active site have met with limited success, largely due to its broad, shallow, and highly polar architecture, which is not conducive to high-affinity binding by drug-like molecules. In contrast, the ribosome-binding interface represents a more tractable target, as it is essential for toxin recruitment and offers more structurally defined and druggable features. Inhibitors targeting this interface can also exert allosteric effects by disrupting long-range conformational coupling between the ribosome-binding region and the active site, thereby attenuating catalytic activity without directly engaging the catalytic pocket. In this review, we compile and evaluate biophysical and biochemical assays for the discovery and characterization of small-molecule inhibitors that target toxin-ribosome interactions. We examine in vitro binding approaches, including surface plasmon resonance-based fragment screening and fluorescence anisotropy assays for ranking inhibitory activity. We further review biochemical and molecular assays that assess ribosome protection from toxin-mediated depurination, along with complementary cell-based assays that evaluate functional rescue in cellular systems. Collectively, this review consolidates current screening methodologies and highlights opportunities to refine assay strategies, thereby supporting the advancement of targeted therapeutics.

Ricin is considered a chemical and biological weapon. It is found in the seeds of a plant, Ricinus communis. There are different isoforms of ricin with different levels of toxicity, depending on the R. communis plant. There is no current prophylaxis and specific treatment for ricin poisoning is recent. Assessing potential countermeasures against this toxin still relies on testing on vertebrate animal models. Galleria mellonella larva, already used for the testing of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, represents an alternative model that is more ethical, inexpensive, and easier to use. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time the sensitivity of G. mellonella larvae to different cultivars of ricin. We observed mortality and a reduction in health index scoring over the days of testing. The health index scoring was based on the survival, the melanization, the mobility, and the capacity of larvae to produce a cocoon or not. Mortality was cultivar- and dose-dependent. Mortality of G. mellonella larvae was reduced when they were treated with a monoclonal antibody and concomitantly injected with ricin. Thus, G. mellonella represents a rapid and simple model of ricin poisoning, and, more particularly, a relevant model to test new therapeutics against ricin.

Ricin, a highly potent toxin derived from Ricinus communis, poses significant biosecurity concerns due to its potential use as a biological weapon. Although the peripheral toxic effects of ricin have been extensively documented, its impact on the central nervous system, particularly the hippocampus, remains poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the acute neurotoxic effects of systemic ricin exposure on hippocampal structure and function in mice using a multilevel experimental approach. Following dose-response optimization, mice received intraperitoneal injection of ricin (5 μg/kg) and were evaluated at Day 4 (acute phase) and Day 14 (recovery phase). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed significant disruption of whole-brain functional connectivity, with the hippocampal network being most prominently affected. Histological analyses using Nissl and HE staining demonstrated selective neuronal damage in the dentate gyrus and CA3 subregions without widespread cell death. Behavioral assessments confirmed acute impairment of hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory and object recognition memory, with partial recovery by Day 14. Mechanistically, c-FOS immunostaining revealed aberrant neuronal hyperactivation predominantly in CA3, whereas GFAP and IBA1 analyses indicated significant astrocyte reactivity and microglial activation in vulnerable hippocampal subregions. Importantly, both functional connectivity and cognitive performance showed substantial spontaneous recovery within 2 weeks, suggesting reversible rather than permanent damage. These findings provide comprehensive evidence that acute ricin exposure induces transient hippocampal dysfunction through region-specific neuronal stress and neuroinflammatory responses, offering new insights into ricin neurotoxicity and potential therapeutic windows for intervention.

For major paddy producing countries like India, rice mill effluent (RME) poses a persistent environmental challenge by dint of its high organic and nutrient loads. Among various methods of treatment of various wastewater, of late, including RME, constructed wetland has been emerging as a sustainable treatment option. Usage of Ricinus communis (commonly called Castor) has been explored herewith for being the wetland plant for remediation of RME, so as to achieve simultaneous effluent remediation and biomass production. In the present study the RME and soil samples were procured from Vallam suburb of Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu (India) for being a part of a rich agro-belt of southern India. The biochemical analyses of the RME and soil indicate elevated TDS, EC, and nitrate levels. RME-pre-soaked castor seeds exhibited enhanced germination percentage (90%) and as high as 12-fold rise in vigor index, in comparison to controls, The results emerged from the wetland trials, moderate effluent dilution (50%) maximized plant height (52cm), leaf area index (2.4), and removal efficiencies (65-72% for NO3--N and NH4+-N; >70% for COD/BOD). Field validation study further confirmed enhanced plant growth and yield in effluent-enriched soils, with seed yield increasing fourfold (22 → 91g) and harvest index rising to 60.6%. The system performance was strongly supported by enhanced microbial activity, as indicated by a 77% increase in microbial biomass carbon and a 76% increase in dehydrogenase activity. Overall, these findings suggest that castor-based constructed wetlands have the potential to integrate wastewater phytoremediation with productive land use while maintaining the chemical safety of castor seed biomass within a circular bioresource framework.

Ricin, a highly toxic protein derived from Ricinus communis, is recognized as a biological threat due to its high toxicity and the absence of approved specific antidotes. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent an emergency therapeutic for ricin intoxication. However, the short therapeutic window of existing antibody administration significantly limits their effectiveness in post-exposure treatment. To address these limitations, we developed a novel strategy leveraging lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated-mRNA platform for toxin antibodies delivery in vivo, enabling a time-saving, cost-effective approach that extends the therapeutic window. We designed and characterized two mRNA-encoded antibodies targeting the A chain (RTA) and B chain (RTB) of ricin, termed mRNA-43RCA and mRNA-Sy1H3, respectively. Then, each LNP-encapsulated mRNA antibody was combined to formulate the final mRNA antibody cocktail, termed mRNA-cocktail-LNP. In vivo studies demonstrated that a single administration of mRNA-cocktail-LNP enabled the rapid production of neutralizing antibodies, which conferred protection in mice against a subsequent lethal-dose ricin challenge. Additionally, mRNA-cocktail-LNP exhibited a significantly extended circulating half-life compared to its protein-format antibody in mice, and a single prophylactic dose provided complete protection against lethal ricin challenge for at least 14days post administration. More importantly, mRNA-cocktail-LNP conferred protection even when administered 10h after lethal-dose ricin exposure, demonstrating an extended therapeutic window. Taken together, our results indicate that mRNA-cocktail-LNP represents a promising therapeutic candidate against ricin intoxication, highlighting the potential of mRNA-LNP platform as a universal strategy for developing antibody-based countermeasures against ricin and a broad spectrum of other biological threats. KEY POINTS: •An mRNA antibody cocktail (mRNA-cocktail-LNP) was designed to against RT and protect the mice from challenge with ricin both prophylactic and post-exposure treatments •mRNA-cocktail-LNP with a prolonged half-life compared to its protein format. •mRNA-cocktail-LNP significantly extended the limited therapeutic window to 10 h for ricin intoxication treatment.

The increasing frequency of castor bean or ricin-induced intoxication or terror events threatens public safety and national security, making the tracing of castor bean origins critical for law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts. Chemical attribution signatures (CAS) could address this issue by providing inherent and forensic links between ricin-containing samples and their geographical origins; however, practical implementations of this approach remain scarce. Omics data sets offer substantial potential to generate comprehensive biological insights and high-dimensional data for provenance attribution, where transcriptomics and proteomics profiling are better suited to castor beans than traditional genomics and metabolomics, regarding that castor beans exhibit low genetic diversity but high phenotypic polymorphism. In this work, toward castor bean samples from 14 provinces or autonomous regions in China and three international locations, including Ethiopia, Pakistan, and South Sudan, we proposed an integrated local-global data-mining strategy by systematically integrating RNA-seq transcriptomics and data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics, and developed a straightforward feature-screening pipeline to prioritize 59 signature peptides as provenance-related CAS with distinct interregional and international expression patterns. A subsequent machine learning model trained on these CAS achieved 93.7% classification accuracy, identifying robust discriminative patterns among samples from different global regions, as well as fine-scale differences across altitude gradients and north-south divisions in China, in which the attribution index of altitude and latitude is reported for the first time. Finally, after validation by parallel reaction monitoring in nanoLC-HRMS/MS, we confirmed a minimum signature panel of 24 peptides as molecular CAS markers for the origin attribution of castor beans.

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an important oilseed crop species that demonstrates strong adaptability to saline-alkaline conditions. Early seedling development is the most vulnerable period to salinity stress during plant establishment. Cotyledons, as the earliest emerging photosynthetic organs, play a crucial role in supporting seedling establishment and contributing to salt stress tolerance. However, the effects of cotyledon removal (CR) on root adaptive strategies and physiological regulation under salt stress remain unclear. Here, the growth, root ultrastructure, ion homeostasis, antioxidant defences, and carbon-nitrogen metabolism of castor roots with the degree of CR (no cotyledon removed, NR; one cotyledon removed, OR; both cotyledons removed, TR) were measured under both salt and non-salt treatments. The results showed that CR inhibited biomass accumulation and damaged root architecture, and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that TR induced loss of root hairs and severe epidermal damage. Under saline conditions, CR had a more significant effect, leading to elevated Na+ concentrations and reduced K+ content in castor roots. In addition, TR treatment decreased MDA content and antioxidant enzyme activity under 150 mM NaCl, compared with NR seedlings. Moreover, CR adversely affected root carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Principal component analysis (PCA) further highlighted distinct physiological profiles, with TR150 samples clustering separately due to severe ionic and oxidative imbalances. Together, these findings provide new insight into the physiological functions of cotyledons and the above and below ground interactions of castor plants under salt conditions.

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a global concern due to its environmental health risks. The Kalasin e-waste dumpsite is the largest illegal e-waste landfill in Kalasin province, Thailand. This study presents a multi-year assessment (2018-2020) of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cu,Zn, and Cd) in soils from e-waste recycling sites, all exceeding UNEP and WHO/FAO permissible limits at multiple locations. Temporal trend analysis demonstrated increasing median concentrations for most metals over the three years, except for Zn. The contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) indicated that the soil was heavy to extremely contaminated with heavy metals. Furthermore, the site was highly contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranging from 822.03-1267.00ngg-1 from 2018 to 2020, dominated by high-molecular-weight PAHs (4-5 rings). The diagnostic ratio indicated the pyrogenic sources linked to combustion processes, and the ILCR level indicated that the soil poses a significant cancer risk to the population. Concurrent phytoremediation assessments identified several native plant species with bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values greater than 1 for Pb, Zn, and Cd, suggesting strong hyperaccumulation potential. Ricinus communis has been identified as the most potent hyperaccumulator of Pb. These findings report the persistent co-contamination of soil with heavy metals and PAHs and the potential use of native, economically valuable plants in sustainable remediation strategies.

Ricinus communis L., a medicinal plant widely distributed in tropical regions, is recognized not only for its use in traditional medicine but also for its antioxidant and other bioactive properties, which are largely associated with phenolamides. But the biosynthetic pathways of phenolamides in castor remain inadequately characterized. An integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic study was conducted to investigate the biosynthesis of phenolamides in root, stem, and leaf tissues at three time points (06:00, 12:00, and 18:00). The findings revealed that N-feruloyl putrescine was the predominant phenolamide, exhibiting peak accumulation in root tissues at 06:00. Integrated omics analysis and subsequent in vitro enzymatic assays led to the identification and functional characterization of two novel BAHD hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, RcHCT1 and RcHCT2. And RcHCT1 displayed broad substrate specificity, catalyzing the formation of N-feruloyl putrescine, N-caffeoyl putrescine, p-coumaroyl putrescine, N-caffeoyl serotonin, and N-feruloyl agmatine from the corresponding substrates: putrescine, serotonin, and agmatine. In contrast, RcHCT2 exhibited narrower catalytic activity, producing only N-feruloyl putrescine and N-caffeoyl serotonin from putrescine and serotonin. Expression of both genes was also highest in roots at 06:00. And subcellular localization of RcHCT1 and RcHCT2 indicates that both proteins were localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In addition, the active pockets of RcHCT1 and RcHCT2 binding to different substrates, as well as adjacent amino acid residues, were excavated through molecular docking models. In conclusion, these findings provide critical insights into the biosynthetic pathway of phenolamides in castor, opening new avenues for its utilization in the design of bioactive molecules.

Certified reference materials (CRMs) are essential for method validation, quality control, and metrological traceability in analytical chemistry. However, CRMs for plant matrices of regional relevance, such as castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) leaves, remain scarce in tropical and subtropical regions. This study addresses that gap by evaluating the homogeneity of a castor bean leaf RM candidate produced under single-laboratory conditions. To assess between- and within-unit homogeneity of a Ricinus communis L. leaf RM candidate for seven inorganic elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, P and Zn), following ISO Guide 35:2017. This study does not aim at certification or replacement of full certification procedures as specified in ISO 17034:2016. Castor bean leaf samples were collected in Bahia, Brazil. A total of 400 g of dry material was produced, homogenized, and distributed among 20 units. Elemental mass fractions were determined by microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES) after acid digestion. Data were evaluated by one-way ANOVA (ISO Guide 35:2017) and principal component analysis (PCA) as a complementary exploratory tool. A minimum sample mass of 400 mg was established as adequate for reliable homogeneity evaluation. Ten units were randomly selected for between-bottle assessment, with three subsamples per unit for within-bottle evaluation. The RM candidate was considered homogeneous for all seven elements at the 95% confidence level. PCA provided additional exploratory insights, including identification of atypical subsamples not detectable by univariate ANOVA. Castor bean RM will be of great use for confirming the accuracy of methods, which will facilitate the validation of analytical methods and verification of quality control of samples of vegetable leaves or similar matrix, in addition to allowing metrological traceability.

Ricinus communis is the primary commercial source of ricinoleic acid (RA), a hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) synthesized by the fatty acid hydroxylase FAH12, which evolved from the Δ12-oleate desaturase FAD2. However, the evolutionary origins and diversification mechanisms of FAH12 across HFA-producing plants remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive cross-species analysis of FAH12 and FAD2 homologs by integrating sequence analysis, structural modeling, phylogenetic reconstruction, and transcriptomic profiling. Across all currently available HFA-producing plant lineages, we found that amino acid substitutions associated with hydroxylase activity exhibit strong lineage-specific patterns rather than universal conservation, indicating multiple evolutionary solutions to catalytic divergence. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses further suggest that FAH12 arose independently from ancestral FAD2 duplications in distinct plant lineages, supporting a model of recurrent independent neofunctionalization. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses reveal that FAH12 exhibits a highly specialized endosperm-preferential expression pattern and is embedded within a regulatory network that is partially decoupled from that of FAD2. Together, these findings demonstrate that FAH12 evolution is driven by recurrent independent origins coupled with transcriptional specialization, providing a framework linking structural variation, evolutionary history, and regulatory divergence for understanding and engineering hydroxy fatty acid biosynthesis in plants.

IgM Hyposialylation Modulates Podocyte Vulnerability in Patients With Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Tomato bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas vesicatoria, is a destructive disease that reduces yield and quality. In this study, leaf extracts of Psidium guajava, Azadirachta indica, Ricinus communis, and Lantana camara were evaluated for antimicrobial activity at concentrations ranging from 25–100 ug/ml. The assays revealed dose-dependent inhibition, with P. guajava showing the strongest effect (zone of inhibition up to 22 mm, 86.3% growth suppression at 100 ug/ml). A. indica exhibited moderate activity (15 mm, 68.1%), while R. communis showed steady inhibition (12 mm, 54.5%). L. camara was inactive at lower concentrations but achieved 11.5 mm and 51.1% inhibition at 100 ug/ml. phytochemical profiling indicated that tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and anthraquinones contribute to the observed antimicrobial potency. These findings highlight Psidium guajava leaves extract as the most promising bio-control candidate, with Neem, Castor, and Lantana serving as complementary agents. Collectively, plant-derived phytochemicals offer sustainable alternatives to copper-based bactericides, combining direct pathogen suppression with host defence induction.

Introduction: Ensuring the identity, quality, safety, and reproducibility, standardizing a drug hasbecome a cornerstone of the drug in the modern era. When treating illnesses in the Supraclavicular(Urdhwajatrugata) region, a special type of medicated fume inhalation therapy (Dhoomanasya) usingmedicated fume sticks (Dhoomavarti) is mentioned in Ayurveda. The HPTLC fingerprinting techniqueis a commonly used approach for herbal formulation quality monitoring and hence can be used to monitorthe quality of the medicated fume stick.Aim: To evaluate the pharmaceutical and analytical profile of Erandamooladi fume stick (Dhoomavarti)through organoleptic evaluation, physicochemical parameters, and HPTLC fingerprinting.Materials and Methods: The formulation was prepared in a single batch using authenticated raw drugs:Erandamoola (Ricinus communis), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul),Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), and Chandana (Santalum album). Organoleptic and physicochemicalparameters like loss on drying, ash value, extractive values, carbon content, and volatile oil content andsome specific phytochemical tests were performed as per standard guidelines. HPTLC fingerprintingwas performed using methanol extract of the formulation and the developed plate was observed underUV light.Results: The formulation was brown in colour, hard in consistency, and had a camphor-like odour. Losson drying was 5.8%, total ash value was 5%, and acid insoluble ash was found to be 2.3%. Water-solubleextract was 14% and alcohol-soluble extractive was 18%. Carbon content was 0.3% per varti and volatileoil content was 0.4%. HPTLC profile showed multiple bands under UV light, indicating the presence ofdiverse phytoconstituents.Conclusion: These analytical findings provides baseline standardization parameters and establishes theHPTLC fingerprint of this herbal formulation. These findings may be useful for future quality control,reproducibility, and research validation.

Ogiri is a traditional African fermented condiment made from oil-rich seeds such as melon (Citrullus vulgaris) or castor oil seeds (Ricinus communis), used as a flavouring in sauces and soups. This study investigated the fermentation characteristics, nutritional composition, mineral profile, and sensory properties of laboratory-fermented ogiri using Bacillus subtilis as a starter culture. Mature melon seeds were purchased from a local seller at Rail-way market in Makurdi, Nigeria. The seeds were cleaned, boiled for 4 h, dehulled, mashed, and aseptically distributed into sterile containers. The samples were autoclaved at 121 °C for 15 min and inoculated with 1 mL of standardized Bacillus subtilis suspension (0.5 McFarland standard). Fermentation was carried out at 28 ± 2 °C for 96 h, with samples collected at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Changes in pH and temperature were monitored throughout the fermentation period. Proximate composition and mineral content were determined using standard analytical methods, while sensory evaluation was conducted using a nine-point hedonic scale with ten semi-trained panelists. The pH increased from 6.01 to 7.60, indicating typical alkaline fermentation, while temperature increased from 31 °C to 38 °C before declining slightly to 34 °C at 96 h. Proximate analysis showed that fermented ogiri contained 22.62 ± 0.02 % crude protein, 22.97 ± 0.04 % fat, and 40.72 ± 0.06 % moisture, while carbohydrate content decreased to 8.89 ± 0.04 %. Mineral analysis revealed that zinc (5.12 mg/100 g) was the most abundant mineral, followed by copper (3.33 mg/100 g), sodium (1.23 mg/100 g), iron (1.00 mg/100 g), and potassium (0.44 mg/100 g). Sensory evaluation showed good consumer acceptance with appearance scoring 7.7, aroma 7.5, and overall acceptability 7.1 on the hedonic scale. The results demonstrate that controlled fermentation using Bacillus subtilis enhances the nutritional value and sensory quality of ogiri, confirming its potential as a nutritionally valuable traditional condiment.

Effect of intercropping on yield and economics of castor (Ricinus communis L.) under rainfed conditions of Coimbatore

Physiological combined with transcriptomics analysis provided new insights into the enhanced Cd stress resilience of Ricinus communis L. via castor bean meal biofertilizer

Transesterifying Ricinus communis, Brassica napus, and waste soybean oil over calcareous heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production: A comparative assessment

The castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is a widespread European ectoparasite and vector of multiple diseases that can impair cattle health and productivity. This study evaluated whether a single application of a gel microencapsulated acaricide (α-cypermethrin and permethrin) reduces I. ricinus infestation in dairy cows and affects milk yield. Twenty cows were allocated to treated and control groups; treated animals received one spray at the start of the grazing season, and tick counts were recorded daily for 196 days with monthly milk-yield measurements. Two activity peaks were observed (June and September-October) with reduced abundance in July-August; all control cows were parasitised, with daily counts of 1-18 ticks (median = 2). During the first month after treatment, the acaricide reduced tick numbers by around 80% versus controls (p < 0.001); efficacy declined over the ensuing months, and differences were negligible after about five months. No adverse effect on milk yield was detected (p = 0.38), and seasonal variation (p < 0.0001) and lactation stage (p < 0.001) were the primary determinants of production. Primiparous and young cows, as well as cows in mid-to-late lactation, tended to show higher levels of tick infestation. A single application of the gel microencapsulated product provided a significant reduction in tick burden during the first month after treatment in grazing dairy cows, without a negative impact on milk production, supporting its use in endemic areas.