Lectin from the seeds of wild bitter gourd (Momardica charantia L. var. Jhalri): isolation and partial characterization.

摘要

A Lectin was isolated from the seeds of Momardica charantia L. var. Jhalri (MCJ) using ammonium sulphate fractionation at pH 6.8 and 4 degrees C. The purification of isolated lectin was done by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-Cellulose with discontinuous gradient of acetate buffers. Purity and homogeneity of MCJ lectin was confirmed by 10% SDS-PAGE at pH 8.6. The same technique revealed its apparent molecular weight of 128 kD indicating it to be a high mol. wt. lectin among the members of Cucurbitaceae family. MCJ lectin showed potent heamagglutination activity for O+ erythrocytes. The total lectin isolated was 118.80 mg per 100 g seeds. Climatic and ecological factors under which the plant grows up were assumed to be responsible for high yield of MCJ lectin.