Isolation and Characterization of Lectin from Broccoli

Abstract

A lectin from broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica, was isolated by a series of column chromatography, using DEAE-cellulose, Sepharose 4B (I), 2B and then 4B (II). The purified fraction, which exhibited homogeneity on agarose gel electrophoresis, was rich in glutamic acid and serine. Total carbohydrate content was approximately 20%.
The lectin was found to be resistant to proteases, showing 85% of the activity remained, after heating above 60°C. Whereas the mortality of mice intraperitoneally injected the purified broccoli lectin was none out of three heads, hypertrophy of the liver and kidney was seen.