Large-scale preparation of a lectin from sunn hemp seeds (Crotalaria juncea)

A procedure for large-scale preparation of a lectin from Crotalaria juncea seeds is described. The method involve fractionation by pH- and ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by biospecific affinity chromatography. The adsorbent used for the affinity chromatography was prepared by coupling galactose to Sepharose 6B activated with divinylsulfone. A comparison of different apparatus and techniques involved in the preparation is discussed. The yield and quality of the lectin prepared at a large scale were comparable with laboratory-scale preparation. From 50 kg Crotalaria juncea beans, 14.4 g Crotalaria lectin were obtained.