Ricin, Environmental Security, and the Castor Plant: Understanding a Silent Biothreat Through an Environmental Lens

In an era when global security is no longer defined solely by military arsenals, border conflicts, or cyberwarfare, a new dimension of threat has steadily emerged, one rooted in the biological complexity of nature itself. Among the most notorious substances connected to this growing concern is ricin, a deadly toxin derived from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Ricin has long been recognized as one of the most lethal plant-based biotoxins known to science, capable of causing death in extremely small quantities, and historically linked to covert assassinations and bioterrorism attempts.

Ricin

Castor seeds

In November 2025, ricin once again entered India’s national security discourse after the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and central agencies uncovered a disturbing plot involving the highly toxic plant-derived biotoxin. Investigators arrested three suspected ISIS-linked operatives, including a foreign-trained medical doctor, Dr. Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (also reported as Ahmed Moyuddin Sayyad), aged 35, originally from Hyderabad. Authorities allege that the doctor had been attempting to extract and weaponize ricin, a lethal protein derived from castor plant (Ricinus communis) seeds, and had been surveying high-density public places across multiple Indian cities. According to ATS officials, Dr. Saiyed had conducted reconnaissance for nearly six months at Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market, Ahmedabad’s Naroda fruit market, and the RSS office in Lucknow, all locations chosen for their crowded environments and potential for mass casualties.

The men, two from Uttar Pradesh and the doctor from Hyderabad (in middle), were arrested in a joint operation with central agencies.

During coordinated raids, the ATS recovered a sealed blue drum containing hazardous liquid, castor seeds, a seed oil press, funnels, industrial solvents including acetone, and other equipment believed to be part of a crude ricin-processing setup in Hyderabad. The seizure, which also included two Glock pistols, a Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and approximately four litres of castor oil, illustrated how ricin extraction can be attempted without sophisticated laboratory facilities, an aspect that heightens its relevance in global biosecurity concerns. Officials stated that Dr. Saiyed had already begun initial chemical processing and had procured the necessary research material and equipment to create what he referred to as “Ryzin,” a mispronunciation or alternative spelling of ricin used within the group’s communication.

The investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly part of a wider extremist network linked to ISIS-KP (Islamic State Khorasan Province). Two of the accused, identified as Azad Suleman Sheikh, 20, and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem, 23, from Uttar Pradesh reportedly attended the same madrasa in Muzaffarnagar and had been in contact with a handler named Abu Khadim, believed to be associated with ISIS-KP. Intelligence inputs suggested the possibility that weapons and certain supplies may have been delivered to the group via drones from across the border, demonstrating an evolving transnational security challenge. Authorities are now analyzing electronic evidence to determine whether ricin had already been experimentally produced and to trace the source of precursor chemicals.

Ricin poisoning is rare and typically occurs only when castor seeds are chewed and ingested; however, in concentrated form, ricin can be fatal when inhaled or injected. Although criminal use remains uncommon worldwide, the reappearance of ricin in any terror plot is treated as a high-level biosecurity red flag because the toxin is relatively easy to produce from widely available castor seeds, especially in a country like India, which is among the world’s largest castor producers. Security experts noted that had the substance been successfully executed in crowded markets like Azadpur Mandi, the consequences would have disproportionately affected low-income communities, daily wage laborers, and informal food supply networks.

This case also emerged shortly after a blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, leading to widespread public speculation. However, authorities clarified that no proven link currently exists between that explosion and the ricin conspiracy. Even so, the incident underscored a reality that modern security threats are no longer confined to firearms, explosives, or cyberwarfare. Nature’s biochemistry, if misused, can be transformed into a weapon, blurring traditional boundaries between environmental science, public health, and national security. As the investigation continues, the ricin case serves as a sobering reminder: safeguarding societies from biological threats requires not only law enforcement vigilance, but also responsible stewardship of natural resources, strict monitoring of dual-use chemicals, and public awareness of emerging bioterror risks.

Ricin as a Biological Toxin and Its Historical Context

Ricin is a naturally occurring, highly toxic ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) found in the seeds of the castor oil plant. Castor seeds contain both:

• Castor oil (widely used and safe when processed correctly), and

• Ricin, which remains in the residual seed cake after oil extraction.

In some cases, this residue may contain up to five percent ricin, making castor bean byproducts a potential precursor for toxin extraction. Even a few milligrams of purified ricin can cause fatal poisoning. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in cells, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and often death. There is currently no widely available antidote, and treatment is limited to intensive supportive care.

Ricin’s infamy precedes the modern era. During the Cold War, it gained global notoriety in 1978 when Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated in London using a modified umbrella that injected a tiny ricin pellet into his leg, one of the most dramatic instances of biotoxin use in espionage history. Ricin research was also conducted during both World Wars, and from 1990-2003 Saddam Hussein’s Iraq reportedly experimented with its weaponization. In the 21st century, ricin resurfaced in several disrupted plots across Europe and North America, including ricin-laced letters mailed to U.S. public officials (2013) and a major 2018 case in Germany in which authorities foiled an ISIS-inspired plot and seized one of the largest quantities of ricin ever discovered in Europe. Manuals encouraging its extraction have circulated on extremist forums, underscoring the risk of decentralized actors using biological toxins.

Thus, ricin is unique: it is a high-risk biological weapon that does not necessarily require an advanced laboratory, making it attractive to individuals seeking low-cost but high-impact methods of mass harm. Its placement under Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the same classification applied to sarin and VX nerve agents, reflects the seriousness of its threat.

The Castor Plant: Agriculture, Ecology, and Economic Significance

Understanding the biothreat is impossible without acknowledging the importance of its source. The castor plant has been cultivated for centuries across tropical and subtropical regions. It supports major industries, including:

• Biodegradable lubricants and hydraulic fluids

• Cosmetics, soaps, and pharmaceutical ointments

• High-performance bio-polymers and resins

• Ayurvedic and traditional medicinal formulations

India is the world’s leading producer and exporter of castor oil, with significant cultivation in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The crop is particularly suited to semi-arid and drought-prone regions, making it an important pillar for climate-resilient agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Yet, the association of this vital crop with terrorism reveals a troubling duality. A plant that sustains sustainable industry and rural economies could, under misguided hands, be transformed into a weapon, illustrating how biological resources can be diverted from ecological value toward biological violence.

In The 2025 Ricin Plot in India: Environmental and Public Health Implications

The Gujarat case is environmentally significant because the alleged plan did not merely involve assassination of individuals, but the potential contamination of food and water systems, pathways tied closely to environmental health.

Contamination of fresh food markets could have caused:

• Widespread poisoning before detection

• Severe distrust in public food distribution

• Disproportionate harm to low-income populations

• Breakdown of community food security systems

If ricin had been introduced into water channels, it could have:

• Endangered drinking water sources

• Contaminated livestock and wildlife

• Triggered cascading ecological toxicity

• Created long-term contamination despite ricin’s degradability

Thus, even though the attack was prevented, the case demonstrates how bioterrorism intersects with environmental vulnerability.

Biological Threats and Environmental Security

Environmental security has expanded to include threats that exploit natural biological agents. Ricin represents a biosecurity challenge embedded in agricultural landscapes, not solely laboratories.

Illegal ricin extraction can generate:

Environmental Outcome	Potential Harm
Toxic solvent disposal	Soil and groundwater pollution
Contaminated seed cake waste	Livestock and wildlife poisoning
Airborne ricin particulates	Respiratory toxic exposure
Water system contamination	Ecosystem collapse and public health emergencies

This shows that biotoxins are not only tools of violence but potential drivers of environmental contamination.

Environmental Justice: Unequal Exposure to Biological Harm

If ricin were released into informal food markets, those most affected would likely be:

• Daily wage workers

• Migrant laborers

• Street vendors and small-scale farmers

• Urban slum communities

• Children and elders with limited medical access

These groups already bear the highest burden of pollution, unsafe water, and chemical exposure. Ricin poisoning would intensify existing inequalities, making it a case of environmental injustice.

Ricin, Biodiversity Governance, and Biotechnology Ethics

This incident brings forward broader ethical questions:

• How do we ensure that valuable plants are not criminalized due to misuse?

• Should farmer cooperatives receive biosecurity education?

• How do we regulate dual-use biological knowledge online?

• Can castor seed byproducts be detoxified efficiently at industrial scale?

• How do we protect indigenous plant knowledge from exploitation?

Protecting biodiversity now requires addressing both ecological threats and biological weaponization risks.

Comparison with Other Natural Biotoxins

Ricin is part of a broader family of potent natural toxins including:

Toxin	Source Plant/Organism	Notes
Abrin	Abrus precatorius (rosary pea)	Even more toxic by weight than ricin
Aflatoxins	Aspergillus fungi on grains	Major food safety and cancer risk
Botulinum toxin	Clostridium botulinum	Most lethal biological toxin known

Thus, nature contains powerful biochemical agents that require responsible governance.

UN Sustainable Development Goals and Ricin Biosecurity

Weaponizing ricin violates core United Nations SDGs:

Goal	Impacted Principle
SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing	Preventing mass poisoning and toxic exposure
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production	Ethical use of biological resources
SDG 15: Life on Land	Protecting ecosystems from toxin contamination
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions	Preventing bioterrorism, strengthening law enforcement

A sustainable world must include biological peace.

Toward Environmentally Responsible Biosecurity

A holistic global strategy should include:

• Secure management of castor seed waste

• Monitoring of ricin extraction precursor materials

• Factory-level detoxification guidelines

• International cooperation under the Biological Weapons Convention

• Public awareness without stigmatizing castor farmers

• Ethical biotechnology training in universities

                   The ricin case in India demonstrates that environmental protection is far more than a conservation concern; it is a matter of public safety, bioethics, agricultural welfare, and national security. When natural biochemistry is misused, it can endanger the very communities and ecosystems it once sustained, showing the urgent need to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and prevent biological materials from being weaponized. This case highlights that environmental protection and peace are inseparable. True sustainability requires not only the preservation of forests, oceans, and biodiversity, but also the responsible and ethical handling of powerful biological resources. Only through such balanced stewardship can environmentalism achieve its highest purpose: protecting life and ensuring peace for future generations.

In a world of diverse faiths, cultures, and philosophies, humanity’s greatest strength lies in choosing compassion over hatred and understanding over violence. Life is brief, and its true value is found in living with kindness, sharing care, and working together to protect our environment. Our thoughts and actions shape the world around us; when guided by empathy and respect, they create harmony and strengthen our collective well-being. These reflections remind us that life is sacred, and protecting it in all its forms is one of our highest responsibilities.

No belief system justifies harm. True courage is shown when individuals transform anger into empathy and choose to uplift rather than destroy. Even those once drawn toward extremism can find a better path when guided by understanding, a path grounded in kindness, respect for all people, and responsibility toward nature and society. When people choose peace over destruction and unity over division, the world becomes safer, the environment becomes stronger, and our shared future becomes brighter. This is the future that both our planet and humanity deserve.