Haemagglutination Activity of Arachis Hypogaea, Vigna Unguiculata and Glycine Max: As Alternatives to Abo Blood Grouping Sera

Introduction: Accurate and cost-effective blood group identification remains a critical challenge in resource-constrained healthcare settings. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of locally sourced legumes [Arachis hypogaea (groundnut), Vigna unguiculata (brown beans), and Glycine max (soybeans)] as alternative blood typing reagents against human ABO blood groups. Lectins, as part of these legumes’ constituents, have antigen-binding capabilities that offer promising prospects for blood group serology.

Methods: Crude lectin extracts were prepared from the three selected indigenous legume species using a sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation process (10-80% w/v saturation). Blood samples were obtained from 20 healthy donors (five from each blood group A, B, AB, and O), and each was prepared a 4% erythrocyte suspension, which was obtained after washing the blood three times with lectin buffer, and adding 2mL of the washed red blood cell to 50mL lectin buffer. Hemagglutination activity was then evaluated using a microtitre plate method across the four blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) at two different extract dilutions and the baseline concentration. The data obtained was analyzed with IBM SPSS v23.

Results: The study revealed significant variations in haemagglutination activity of the three legumes evaluated. Glycine max lectins exhibited the strongest haemagglutination activity of the three legumes, showing 100% reactivity across all blood groups at baseline concentration, with consistent pan-agglutination properties. On the other hand, Arachis hypogaea demonstrated moderate haemagglutination activity for blood groups A, B, and O, while Vigna unguiculata displayed the weakest haemagglutination activity, limited to only blood groups A and B.

Conclusion: Glycine max exhibited the highest and most consistent haemagglutination activity across all ABO blood groups and is presumed to be the most suitable alternative to ABO blood groups sera compared to Arachis hypogaea and Vigna unguiculata. Further comparative studies using other lectin-containing plants may provide insights into improving lectin efficacy and specificity.