The analysis of abrin in food and beverages

• Abrin is an available select agent with a lower profile than comparable toxins.
• Analytical methodologies directed at determining abrin are relatively new.
• Recent criminal cases with abrin highlighted the need for analytical capability.

Abrus precatorius has been known since ancient times, as has the fact that the seeds contain a deadly toxin determined to be abrin. Herein is an overview of the analytical techniques and methods that have been used to determine abrin and compare abrin with the related small molecule abrine in food and beverages. There are identified areas where significant knowledge gaps remain and highlight future work to address those shortcomings. The importance of fast, accurate, portable and accessible detection methods for select agents and associated molecules is of paramount importance to many scientific communities.