Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Moustafa Ismail, 24, of Franklin displayed his world-record 31-inch biceps in a recent workout.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Ismail is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 270 pounds, and says he has curled 400 pounds and bench-pressed 500.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

The bodybuilding community is accusing Ismail of injecting an oil directly into his biceps to make them appear bigger.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Ismail adamantly denies the accusations, and says he had never heard of the substance he's accused of using until the attacks came his way.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Ismail says he could not afford steroids even if he wanted them. “I’m a guy who works in a gas station,” he said. “I’m not Bill Gates.”

James Ellerker/Guinness World Records/Getty Images

In the 12 months since Guinness measured him for the world record of 26 inches, he has added 5 more inches.