The most expensive liquid in the world is venom from a scorpion which has potential medical applications, but its extraction and processing are highly specialized and dangerous.
The deathstalker is one of the most dangerous scorpions on the planet, and what makes it so dangerous also happens to be the most expensive liquid in the world. This stuff costs $39 million per gallon.
The reason is because the liquid is hard to get. Scorpions are milked by hand, one by one, and one scorpion produces at most a mere two milligrams of venom at a time.
Some cultures have used scorpion venom for centuries as a natural pain reliever. While the science behind this is still being explored, some components of the venom show promise in managing chronic pain.
Within the deadly venom, there are tons of useful components that are helping pioneer breakthrough medicines.
Chlorotoxins, for example, are the perfect size to bind with certain cancer cells in the brain and spine, which helps identify the specific size and location of tumors.
Researchers have used scorpions to eliminate malaria in mosquitoes, and kaliotoxin has been given to rats to fight bone disease. Scientists hope it could work in humans too.
These are just a few of the medical benefits that researchers have found in scorpion venom, and the more they research it, the more uses they find. This means demand for the miracle venom continues to grow. Hence, scientists are now attempting to identify ways to get more of it faster.
Related: Greek Scientist’s Amazing Discovery: Spider Venom Kills Cancer Cells
How the world’s most expensive liquid is extracted
The traditional method for extracting a scorpion’s venom is simply manual milking. This involves gently stimulating the scorpion to induce venom release, collecting it directly with specialized tools.
Another method used is electrical stimulation to trigger venom ejection, offering faster collection but demanding careful calibration to avoid harming the scorpion.
More recently, automated milking systems have been installed employing robotics and controlled environments to maximize venom yield while minimizing human intervention.
Did you know? Scorpions farms do exist. Each scorpion produces about 2 milligrams of venom daily, which is milked using a pair of tweezers and tongs. A liter is worth $10 million, used for cosmetics and medicines
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King Scorpion / efre812] pic.twitter.com/cDeVOfayvc
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North Africa and the Middle East, including countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Iran, are major players in scorpion venom extraction due to the presence of diverse and medically significant species like the Androctonus mauretanicus.
Brazil, home to numerous scorpion species, has established farms and facilities for venom extraction, particularly from Tityus serrulatus, known for its neurotoxic venom.
India and Southeast Asia contribute to the global demand for scorpion venom, with species such as the Heterometrus swammerdami being commercially raised for venom collection.
Related: New Scorpion Species With “Greek Origins” Discovered In Turkey