Haemagglutinins and lysins in plants and their application in characterising human and animal red cells.

Saline extracts of 207 seed varieties belonging to 53 families were tested for haemagglutinating and haemolytic activity against the erythrocytes of eleven vertebrate species (man, monkey, rabbit, rat, goat, sheep, cow, buffalo, horse, mule and fowl). Of these, 85 seed extracts showed haemagglutinating activity and 49 seed extracts showed haemolytic activity against the red cells of one or more animal species. Several seed extracts were found to react in a species specific manner agglutinating or lysing the red cells exclusively of one animal species each. The possible practical application of the species specific plant agglutinins and haemolysins in characterising the red cells of different animal species is discussed.