Comparative Assessment of Lectin Content in Leaves and Seeds of Two Species of Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus and Abelmoschus caillei

Lectin is a glycoprotein which possesses at least one non-catalyzing domain that specifically and reversibly binds to mono and oligosaccharides. The concentration of lectin in these two species of okra: (A.esculentus and A.caillei) were determined using the glycoprotein agglutinating property with carbohydrate coated surface (erythrocytes) that can easily bind with the lectin present in the two Okra species. The study revealed that A.esculentus has high lectin content in the leaves but the seeds are characterized with low lectin content. Comparatively, A.caillei has low lectin content in its leaves while high level of lectin content was found in its seeds. Protein were extracted and detected by Bradford methods.？ The data were subjected to analysis using SAS package (L.S.D) version 2009 and it showed that A.esculentus has high protein content in its seeds (0.61 mg/ml) when compared with leaves (0.09mg/ml) of the same species. However, A.caillei has high level protein content in its leaves (0.19mg/ml) as compared with the low protein content found in seeds (0.58mg/ml). The research showed that the A.caillei has high level of lectin but low level of protein contents whereas; the A.esculentus has low level of protein but high level of lectin contents. It is recommended that further studies should be carried out on the genetic compatibility of the two species in order to explore a viable product that would have optimum level of lectin and high level of protein contents in specie of okra