One of the most common questions people ask, and a fact that is going viral on social media, is something we often see science students discussing repeatedly: Which liquid is the most expensive on Earth? Yes, you heard that right. We’re talking about a liquid that is one of the most costly substances on the planet. We all know that water is essential for life on Earth, but there is a liquid with an incredibly high price tag.
The most common types of matter are divided into three states: solid, gas, and liquid. While precious things exist in all three forms, it is rare to find such a valuable liquid. Many might guess this costly liquid is a type of medicine, as we often hear about rare, highly-priced medications, but no—this is something different.
What Liquid is the Most Expensive on Earth?
The venom of a scorpion is the most expensive liquid on Earth. Scorpion venom costs between $38 million to $40 million per gallon.
The main use of this venom is in the research and medical fields. Scientists believe that scorpion venom has significant medical potential, which contributes to its high cost. Additionally, scorpion venom is very difficult to obtain in large quantities. To extract even a tiny drop from a single scorpion requires many scorpions and careful handling, making it a rare and valuable substance for medical research. There is even potential for new medical discoveries from scorpion venom, such as immune system enhancement and possible cancer treatments.
Why is Scorpion Venom So Expensive?
There are many venomous species on Earth, with venoms capable of killing large animals in a single dose. But why is scorpion venom so uniquely expensive?
Although there are venomous snakes whose venom is also valuable, snake venom is significantly less expensive than scorpion venom. The reason lies in the quantity available. A snake, when it bites, injects a substantial amount of venom. Scorpions, however, produce only a tiny amount of venom at a time. To collect enough venom for research, scientists need multiple scorpions, making it challenging to meet the demand. Hence, scorpion venom’s scarcity combined with high demand makes it exceedingly valuable.
What are the Uses of Scorpion Venom?
There are several uses of scorpion venom, particularly in medicine:
- Medicinal Uses: Scorpion venom is known for its therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases, including cancer. It is primarily used in novel drug development for conditions like cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and as analgesics. Its medicinal compounds, particularly chlorotoxin, have cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative effects.
- Potential Cancer Treatments: Scorpion venom has shown promising effects against cancers such as glioma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, melanoma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.
How is Scorpion Venom Collected?
Collecting scorpion venom is more challenging than collecting snake venom. There are two main methods:
- Electric Stimulus Method: This method is the most common. The scorpion is placed in a controlled environment and given a small electric stimulus, which causes it to release venom. This process does not harm the scorpion and allows for safe venom collection.
- Manual Method: In this approach, the scorpion is manually stimulated to release venom. The collector must take extreme precautions, as direct handling is involved.
Due to the small quantity collected each time, large-scale production of medicine from scorpion venom is difficult. The limited supply and high demand drive the price to between $38 million and $40 million per gallon.
