A study of trees and shrubs indigenous to Zimbabwe for the presence of human blood group specific haemagglutinins

Abstract

The results of haemagglutination tests carried out on 280 lectins extracted from the seeds of plants indigenous to Zimbabwe are recorded. These tests include bromelin enzyme and saline tube tests against human erythrocytes of all the common human blood groups. 142 lectins which failed to react with human erythrocytes were tested against horse, sheep, dog, cow, chicken, rabbit and chimpanzee erythrocytes as well as human group Oh (Bombay) U negative and neuraminidase and trypsin treated erythrocytes. One Anti-A + Anti-B -specific lectin from the seeds of Calpurnia aurea (previously reported) and three Anti-H specific lectins from the seeds of the Erythrina species are discussed. Two lectins, Pterocarpus angolensis and Ipomoea kituiensis, reacting only with cord erythrocytes and group Oh "(BombayJ^erythrocytes are reported on. Lectins are enumerated which are able to differentiate between the animal erythrocytes tested. Results of comparing lectin reactivity with total protein levels of extracts, mode of seed spread, seasonal appearance of seeds and botanical order of plants are evaluated