Pollinosis to Ricinus communis (castor bean): an aerobiological, clinical and immunochemical study

Abstract

Castor bean pollen is an allergen which causes respiratory (mainly nasal) symptoms.

Variability in protein content of pollen of Castor bean (Ricinus communis) before and after exposure to the air pollutants SO and NO

“…Pollen of Ricinus communis is an important allergen and is well characterized in India and elsewhere (Singh et al 1992, 1993, Garcia-Gonzalez et al 1999. It has been established that R. communis can cause allergic symptoms in 5 -30% of the symptomatic population in India (Shivpuri et al 1979, Shivpuri 1980, Parui et al 1999).…”

Toxicidade da ricina presente nas sementes de mamona

“…É um pó branco na sua forma pura (MUSSHOFF; MADEA, 2009), solúvel em água (ALEXANDER et al, 2008;MUSSHOFF;MADEA, 2009), estável em temperatura ambiente, mas termolábil (GARLAND; BAILEY, 2006). Encontra-se em maior quantidade no endosperma das sementes, que é o local onde é sintetizada, e em menor quantidade nas outras partes da planta (ALEXANDER et al, 2008).…”

“…Ricinus communis é um arbusto da família Euforbiacea, oriundo da Etiópia e gradativamente disseminado para a África do Sul, região do Mediterrâneo e regiões mais quentes da Ásia (GARCIA-GONZALEZ et al, 1999). Há relatos de sua utilização desde a antiguidade na Medicina Grega e Egípcia Clássica (OLSNES, 2004;CANGEMI;CLARO NETO, 2010), com descrição no texto médico Susruta Ayurveda, escrito em sânscrito no século VI a.C. (OLSNES, 2004).…”

Allergens and Toxins from Oleaginous Plants: Problems and Solutions

“…Castor bean seeds, however, contain a strong toxin (ricin), a toxic volatile alkaloid ricinine (1,2-dihydro-4-methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-3-piridinocarbonitrila-C 8 H 8 N 2 O 2 ) and an allergenic protein fraction (CB-1A or 2S albumin isoforms), which severely limits the usefulness of the castor meal after oil extraction (Godoy et al, 2009;Audi et al, 2005;Garcia-Gonzalez et al, 1999;Thorpe et al, 1988). The castor bean is an oilseed member to the Euphorbiaceae family and yields an oil that is used for biodiesel production.…”

“…Medical problems such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis and urticaria have been associated with castor bean seeds, as well as the pollen (Garcia-Gonzalez et al, 1999). The allergy triggered by the 2S albumin of castor bean is mainly caused by the inhalation of cake dust, representing a problem for the workers in extraction plants and for the population that inhabits the area around of these extraction plants ( Garcia-Gonzalez, et al, 1999). Another factor to be considered is the risk of allergic reactions of field workers using the castor cake as a fertilizer and who are subject to the dust.…”