Jequirity Bean and Abrin ( Abrus precatorius L.)

Abstract

HISTORYIn India, there is a long history of the use of abrin from the jequirity bean plant to poison animals and humans. 1 Administration of small doses of seeds (beans) from Abrus precatorius to protect animals from abrin poisoning is one of the earliest examples of active immunization. 2 The seeds from Abrus precatorius are called gumchi in Hindustani and gunja in Sanskrit. The physical properties (e.g., uniformity, durability) of these seeds were used in Southeast Asia for weighing jewels and gold. An old system of weights called the Ganda system was based on multiples of the weight of four A. precatorius seeds. 2 In addition, jequirity beans were used by some African and Madagascar tribes as an ordeal poison, but the delayed toxicity and the development of immunity limited the effectiveness of the these seeds as an ordeal poison. In Arab countries, jequirity beans (coq ' s eye) were an aphrodisiac. Extracts of these seeds were used to treat chronic eye diseases during the 19th century, particularly trachoma. 3 In India and Sri Lanka during the early 20th century, abrin was used as a homicidal agent by stabbing the victim with a hardened, needle -shaped abrin paste. 21 Scientifi c Name: Abrus precatorius L. Botanical Family: Fabaceae (pea) Physical Description: Small (1 cm/ ∼ 0.4 in.) alternate compound leafl ets develop on a twisting vine that grows up to 20 ft (6 m) in length. The bright scarlet seeds are 3 -8 mm (0.1 -0.3 in.) long and ovoid with a jet black end. The three color variations of these seeds include a red seed with a black eye (Indian native), a black seed with a white eye, and a white seed with a black eye. Distribution and Ecology: Abrus precatorius is a vine used as an ornamental plant in tropical regions, such as southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Abrus precatorius also inhabits tropical and subtropical climates in Southeast Asia, India, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.