Development of a quantitative spectrophotometric assay for lectins

A new quantitative spectrophotometric assay for lectins has been developed. It involves mixing a copolymer with a lectin solution and measuring the absorbance change as a function of time as the resulting solution becomes turbid. The slope obtained could be correlated quantitatively with the amount of lectin present. The assay has sensitivity problems at low lectin concentrations and also a reproducibility problem. More study is required in these two areas