Fractionation Studies of Leghaemoglobins Extracted from Root Nodules of Cluster Bean, Cowpea and Lablab Bean

Leghaemoglobins (Lbs) extracted from root nodules of cluster bean, cowpea and lablab bean were purified and fractionated through different media and examined for their heterogeneity. Cowpea leghaemoglobin (Lb) separated into three distinct bands on preparative disc gels whereas Lbs of cluster bean and lablab appeared as single band on polyacrylamide gels. On electrofocussing in stabilized liquid column cluster bean Lb resolved into a single band whereas cowpea and lablab seperated into two visible bands each. Fractionation on ion exchange column resolved into 5 components for cluster bean Lb whereas Lbs of cowpea and lablab resolved into 6 and 3 components, respectively. Each of the above components achieved from ion exchange column, however, fractionated into several subcomponents when electrofocussed in polyacrylamide disc gels.