Magnetic ovalbumin and egg white aggregates as affinity adsorbents for lectins separation

Simple and low-cost preparation of new magnetic adsorbents from ovalbumin and egg white, based on methanol precipitation and subsequent glutaraldehyde cross-linking has been developed. These adsorbents were used for preconcentration of two plant lectins from potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers and from wheat (Triticum spp.) germs extracts. The adsorbed lectins were eluted with diluted hydrochloric acid. The specific activities of both lectins increased approximately 30–40 times during the preconcentration process.