Abstract

A lectin was isolated and purified from the pepper seeds Capsicum annuum. The purification procedure involved anionic exchange chromatography on DEAE – Cellulose and QAE – Sephadex columns followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G–100. The heamagglutinating activity of the lectin towards human erythrocytes was sensitive to inhibition by D-mannose and D-glucose; and enhancement by CaCl₂and MgCl₂. The lectin activity was enhanced at very high acidic pH, inhibited at high basic pH but stable at physiological pH range of 6- 8. The lectin was heat stable up to 30°C. SDS-PAGE of the purified lectin revealed the presence of singleband of 25 kDa. The lectin was capable of inhibiting the germination of spores and hyphal growth in the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fuscarium solaniand Fuscarium graminearum.

Key words: Lectin, pepper, seeds, antifungal, glucose, mannose.