Detection of Optimum pH of <i>Momordica balsamina</i> Seeds Lectin

Abstract

Background: Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins of non-immune origin that reversibly and non-enzymatically bind carbohydrates with high specificity for the chemical structure of the glycan array without changing their structure.
Objectives: The present study aimed to detect the optimum pH of Momordica balsamina seeds lectin (MbSL).
Materials and Methods:A season fresh of Momordica balsamina fruit seeds were brought from urban areas of Sudan (Gadarif and north Kurdofan states), then the lectin was isolated from saline extract by affinity chromatography on alpha agarose lactose matrix then the purified lectin activity was evaluated in different buffers to detect the optimum pH.
Results: The activity of the lectin remained stable in the pH range 2-12.
Conclusion: A lactose-binding lectin from seeds of Momordica balsamina medicinal plant shares a high degree of similarity with other Cucurbitaceae family lectins in term of their physicochemical features including sugar specificity, effect of pH on lectin stability.

Keywords: Momordica balsamina; lectin; seeds; plant lectin; pH; protein.