Carbohydrate-binding properties of an immobilized alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-binding protein (lectin) from the seeds of Bandeiraea simplicifolia.

The alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-binding lectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia has been coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. Using this immobilized system, we have been able to study the interaction of the lectin with model carbohydrate-protein conjugates and polysaccharides, and to reaffirm this protein's carbohydrate-binding specificity. The opportunity for the isolation of biopolymers containing alpha-D-galactopyranosyl end-groups is demonstrated by the single-step purification of a new galactomannan from the seeds of Cassia alata.