Biochemical Charactarization of Lectin Isolated from the Seeds of Shear Butter Tree (Vitellaria Paradoxa)

Abstract

The study on biochemical characterization of lectin isolated from the seeds of shear butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) was carried out. The plants materials were obtained fresh from Kaduna metropolis. Seeds extracts from different plant sources were assay for the presence of lectins. Haemagglutinating activity of the crude extract was determined. Blood samples of 5ml each were collected from the three healthy donors belonging to the A, B and O blood group within Kaduna metropolis for its specificity in agglutination in all human erythrocyte type. Biochemical characterization of V. paradoxa seed lectin was also determined. Hemagglutinating activity of lectin from V. Paradoxa seeds was monitored using human erythrocytes. V. Paradoxa showed no specificity for human
erythrocytes of ABO blood groups. It was concluded that lectin was inhibited by D-glucose and fructose making it a super-lectin since it was able to recognize structurally two different sugars. Its maximum agglutinating activity was obtained at pH of 7.5 and temperature of 25OC. It is recommended that lectins need to be isolated, purified and characterized to ascertain any similarity or difference in their properties between them and that of the seed. The molecular analysis also needs to be carried out on the lectins from the various plant parts. It is only from the genes that it can be ascertained that the lectin from the seed, leaf and stem back of V. paradoxaare the same or differ. The isolated lectin can also be tested against micro-organisms to ascertain if it has any anti-microbial property.