TOXIN

D.DuttaResearch Scholar (Food & Nutrition)

M.Sc (Microbiology)M.Sc (Nutrition)

M.S.W.

A toxin (from Ancient Greek: τοξικόν toxikon) is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; synthetic toxicants created by artificial processes are thus excluded. The term was first used by organic chemist Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919)

What is toxin?

V¢„e

Toxin

Toxoid

Poisons Venom

Definition

Toxins are organic in nature mainlyproduced by microorganisms.

Toxiod are mainly Toxins , which bears no pathogenecity by immunogenicity . It need for Vaccination also.Example : Tetanus Toxiod as TT Vaccine

Venom are the substances injected by one species into another.

Example: Bee Venom

Poisons are the chemicals that can injure or impair body functions.

EXAMPLE :BOTULINUM TOXIN

Classification V¢„e

TOXIN

Cyanotoxins , produced by Cyanobacteria

Necrotoxins cause necrosis Eg. Narcotic Drugs 

Myotoxins are small, basic peptides found in snake and lizard venoms

Neurotoxins affects on neurons leads to paralysis finally

Cytotoxins are toxic at the level of individual cells Eg. Ricin, from castor beans Apitoxin, from honey bees

Neurotoxin V¢„e

Neurotoxins are substances that are poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue

  Botulinum toxin (Botox)

Harmful Action:   Muscular Paralysis

Causative Agent: Clostridium botulinum

(Bacterium)

Benefial Action: BOTOX the purified processed Botulinum

toxin used for Anti-Aging Agent .Canned Food is main source of

Clostridium botulinum

Tetanus toxin and tetrodotoxin

Harmful Action:   Affect on central nervous system . Spasms . Rigidity of the voluntary

musclesCausative Agent:

Clostridium tetani (Bacterium)

Benefial Action: Its toxoid used for Vaccination

Botulinum toxin V¢„e

Colored transmission electron micrograph of the Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria,Clostridium botulinum

The classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone.

Gram Staining of Clostridium botulinum

Sources Infants: Honey, home-canned vegetables and fruits, corn syrup Children and adults: Home-canned foods with a low acid content,

improperly canned commercial foods, home-canned or fermented fish, herb-infused oils, baked potatoes in aluminum foil, cheese sauce, bottled garlic, foods held warm for extended periods of time

Incubation Period

Infants: 3-30 days Children and adults: 12-72 hours

Symptoms Infants: Lethargy, weakness, poor feeding, constipation, poor head control, poor gag and sucking reflex

Children and adults: Double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness

Duration of Illness

Variable

Necessary Action Taken Immediately

Botulism is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of botulism, contact your doctor immediately.

Prevention Be very careful when canning foods at home

Do not let babies eat honey

Get prompt medical care for infected wounds

SourceClostridium Botulinum

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Botulinum toxin V¢„e

MODEOF

ACTION

Message Transferring blockage Flow Diagramed

Nearest Nerve

Nearest Nerve

Synaptic End

Signal

No Signal Transmitting

Acetyl Colin

Acetyl Colin Blocking

Botulinum Toxin

No instruction to Nearest

Cell

Paralysis of Cell

Bioterorims

BOTOXBeneficial Affect of Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

Prevent Apoptosis (Programme Cell Death)

Cosmetic Value ( Anti Ageing Agent like Ponds Age Miracle )

A 14-year-old with botulism. Note the weakness of his eye muscles and the drooping eyelids in the image to the left, and the large and

non moving pupils in the right image. This youth was fully conscious.

Botulism Tetanus (Ancient & Current)

Thanks