Voltammetric determination of mercury (II) in aqueous media using glassy carbon electrodes modified with novel calix[4]arene

A novel calix[4]arene derivative containing benzothiazole group was coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then applied to the recognition of mercury ion. Cyclic and square wave voltammetric results showed that the modified electrode selectively recognizes Hg²⁺ ion in aqueous media. A new anodic stripping peak at −0.3 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) can be obtained by scanning the potential from −0.6 to 0.6 V, and the peak currents are proportional to the Hg²⁺ concentration. The modified electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄+0.01 M NaCl solution shows linear voltammetric response in the range of 25-300 μg l⁻¹ and detection limit of 5 μg l⁻¹ (ca. 2.5×10⁻⁸ M). This modified GCE does not present any significant interference from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except for Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Only 500, 50 and 100-fold molar excess of Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, can lead to voltammetric response comparable with that of Hg²⁺. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine mercury in natural water.     

Spectrophotometric and voltammetric characterization of a novel selective electroactive chemosensor for Mg2+

A novel azocalix[4]arene derivative, 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(acetophenone)azo]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (APC4), containing acetophenone azo groups at the upper rim was synthesized as a chemosensor. Its binding and sensing properties with alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) were investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometric and voltammetric techniques. The stoichiometric ratio and the association constant were determined spectrophotometrically as 1:1 and (1.94±0.31)×10⁵ L mol^?1 for the complex between Mg²⁺ and the chemosensor, respectively. Moreover, it was shown that the interaction between Mg²⁺ and the APC4 occurred by means of the phenol groups at the lower rim by voltammetric methods. The results of spectrophotometric and voltammetric experiments showed that the chromogenic chemosensor has high selectivity towards Mg²⁺ among the other used metal ions, especially the interfering Ca²⁺ ion.      

Preparation of Thallium Hexacyanoferrate Film and Mixed‐Film Modified Electrodes with Cobalt(II) Hexacyanoferrate

Thallium hexacyanoferrate films have been prepared from various aqueous electrolyte solutions using consecutive cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammograms recorded the direct deposition of thallium hexacyanoferrate films from the mixing of Tl³⁺ and [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ions from solutions of seven cations: Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, H⁺, and Tl⁺. An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the in situ growth of the thallium hexacyanoferrate films. The thallium hexacyanoferrate film shows a single redox couple with a formal potential between +0.6 V and +1.2 V, and shows a cation effect (H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, and Tl⁺). A mixed film and a two‐layered modified electrodes composed of a thallium hexacyanoferrate film with cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate film were prepared.     

Cation exchange, interlayer spacing, and thermal analysis of Na/Ca-montmorillonite modified with alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions

Na-montmorillonites were exchanged with Li⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺, while Ca-montmorillonites were treated with alkaline and alkaline earth ions except for Ra²⁺ and Ca²⁺. Montmorillonites with interlayer cations Li⁺ or Na⁺ have remarkable swelling capacity and keep excellent stability. It is shown that metal ions represent different exchange ability as follows: Cs⁺?>?Rb⁺?>?K⁺?>?Na⁺?>?Li⁺ and Ba²⁺?>?Sr²⁺?>?Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺. The cation exchange capacity with single ion exchange capacity illustrates that Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ do not only take part in cation exchange but also produce physical adsorption on the montmorillonite. Although interlayer spacing d ₀₀₁ depends on both radius and hydration radius of interlayer cations, the latter one plays a decisive role in changing d ₀₀₁ value. Three stages of temperature intervals of dehydration are observed from the TG/DSC curves: the release of surface water adsorbed (36?C84?°C), the dehydration of interlayer water and the chemical-adsorption water (47?C189?°C) and dehydration of bound water of interlayer metal cation (108?C268?°C). Data show that the quantity and hydration energy of ions adsorbed on montmorillonite influence the water content in montmorillonite. Mg²⁺-modified Na-montmorillonite which absorbs the most quantity of ions with the highest hydration energy has the maximum water content up to 8.84%.     

Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead（Ⅱ） Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Novel Calix[4] arene

A new glassy carbon electrode modified with novel calix[4]‐arene derivative was prepared and then applied to the selective recognition of lead ion in aqueous media by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. A new anodic stripping peak at ? 0.92 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) in square wave voltammogram can be obtained by scanning the potential from ? 1.5 to ? 0.6 V, of which the peak current is proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺. The modified electrode in 0.1 mol/L HNO₃ solution showed a linear voltammetric response in the range of 2.0 × 10–⁸–1.0 × 10–⁶ mol/L and a detection limit of 6.1 × 10–⁹ mol/L. In the modified glassy carbon electrode no significant interference occurred from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, which can be eliminated by the addition of KSCN. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead in aqueous samples.     

Structural determination of oxofatty acids by charge-remote fragmentations

A strategy is described to locate the carbonyl position in oxofatty acids by utilizing charge-remote fragmentations of various molecular ions that are desorbed by fast atom bombardment (FAB). Oxofatty acids were cationized with alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) to form [M+2Met?H]⁺ or alkaline earth metal ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ or Ba²⁺) to form [M+Met?H]⁺ in the gas phase. The cationized acids undergo charge-remote fragmentations upon high-energy activation, giving a product-ion pattern that has a gap corresponding to the oxo position and bordered by two high-intensity peaks. One of the peaks corresponds to an ion that is formed by the cleavage of the C-C bond β to the oxo position and proximal to the charge (β ion), whereas the other is formed from the cleavage of the C-C bond γ to the oxo position and distal to the charge (γ′ ion). The oxo position is easily determined by identifying the gap and the β and γ′ ions. Furthermore, there are two competing patterns of fragments in a CAD spectrum of an oxofatty acid or ester [M+Li]⁺ ion. These arise because Li⁺ attaches to either the oxo or the carboxylic end, as was confirmed by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The results demonstrate that control of the fragmentation can be guided by an understanding of metal-ion affinities. Collisional activation of the anionic carboxylates gives results that are similar to those for positive ions, showing that the process is not related to the charge status. Collisional activation of [M+H]⁺ ions does not give structural information because the charge migrates, leading to charge-mediated fragmentations.     

Probing the interaction of alkali and transition metal ions with bradykinin and its des-arginine derivatives via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and postsource decay mass spectrometry

The complexes of the peptides (Pep) bradykinin (RPPGFSPFR), des-Arg¹-bradykinin, and des-Arg⁹-bradykinin with the metal (M) ions Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Cu⁺, Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ are generated in the gas phase by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and the structures of the corresponding [Pep + M⁺]⁺ or [Pep − H⁺ + M²⁺]⁺ cations are probed by postsource decay (PSD) mass spectrometry. The PSD spectra depend significantly on the metal ion attached; moreover, the various metal ions respond differently to the presence or absence of a basic arginine residue. The Na⁺ and K⁺ adducts of all three peptides mainly produce N-terminal sequence ions upon PSD; the fragments observed point out that these metal ions are anchored by the PPGF segment and not the arginine residue(s). In contrast, the adducts of Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ show a strong dependence on the position of Arg; complexes of des-Arg¹-Pep (which contains a C-terminal Arg) produce primarily y_n ions whereas those of des-Arg⁹-Pep generate exclusively a_n and b_n ions. These trends are consistent with Cu⁺ ligation by Arg’s guanidine group. The [Pep + Cs⁺]⁺ ions mainly yield Cs⁺; a second significant fragmentation occurs only if a C-terminal arginine is present and involves elimination of this arginine’s side chain plus water. This reaction is rationalized through a salt bridge mechanism. The most prominent PSD products from [Pep − H⁺ + Co²⁺]⁺ and [Pep − H⁺ + Ni²⁺]⁺ contain at least one phenylalanine residue, revealing a marked preference for these divalent metal ions to bind to aromatic rings; the fragmentation patterns of the complexes further suggest that Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ bind to deprotonated amide nitrogens. The coordination chemistry of Zn²⁺ combines features found with the divalent Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ as well as the monovalent Cu⁺/Ag⁺ transition metal ions. Generally, the structure and fragmentation behavior of each complex reflects the intrinsic coordination preferences of the corresponding metal ion.     

Calix[4]arene-based fluorescent probe and the adsorption capacity of its electrospun nanofibrous film for the cesium cation as an adsorbent

Calix[4]arene-based cation receptor 1 has been synthesised by following a multi-step synthetic procedure. The fluorescence properties of 1 upon the addition of various metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. As a result, it was revealed that 1 displayed dramatic quenching effect upon the exposure to Cs⁺. In contrast, no significant quenching effects were observed upon the addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺. Compound 1 was also found by Job plot to form a 1:1 complex with Cs⁺. In addition, we also prepared 1-embedded electrospun nanofibrous film (NF-1) as an adsorbent for Cs⁺. NF-1 is proved to adsorb Cs⁺ effectively from an aqueous solution, indicating that it would be usefully utilised as an adsorbent to remove Cs⁺.     

Ionophores in Rubidium Ion‐Selective Membrane Electrodes

Binaphthyl‐based crown ethers incorporating anthraquinone, benzoquinone, and 1,4‐dimethoxybezene have been synthesized and tested for Rb⁺ selective ionophores in the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane. The membrane containing NPOE gave a better Rb⁺ selectivity than those containing either DOA or BPPA as a plasticizer. The response was linear within the concentration range of 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?1 M and the slope was 54.7±0.5 mV/dec. The detection limit was determined to be 9.0×10^?6 M and the optimum pH range of the membrane was 6.0–9.0. The ISE membrane exhibits good selectivity for Rb⁺ over ammonium, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal ions. Selectivity coefficients for the other metal ions, log K^Pot were ?2.5 for Li⁺, ?2.4 for Na⁺, ?2.0 for H⁺, ?1.0 for K⁺, ?1.2 for Cs⁺, ?1.6 for NH₄⁺, ?4.5 for Mg²⁺, ?5.0 for Ca²⁺,?4.9 for Ba²⁺. The lifetime of the membrane was about one month.     

Substituent effects to the electrochromic behaviors of electropolymerized metallophthalocyanine thin films

Metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) (M = 2H⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺) bearing diethylaminophenoxy and chloro substituents at the peripheral positions (MPc-tdea-tCl) were coated on the working electrodes with the electropolymerization and tested as electrochromic materials. Altering the metal center of MPcs affected the redox activities of MPc-tdea-tCl films. All electropolymerized MPc-tdea-tCl films behaved as conductive and redox active films in different electrolyte systems. Electrochromic properties of MPc-tdea-tCl films were investigated via the voltammetric, in situ spectroelectrochemical, and in situ spectroelectrocolorimetric measurements. H ₂ Pc-tdea-tCl film did not give any electrochromic response, while ZnPc-tdea-tCl and CuPc-tdea-tCl films behave as a reasonable electrochromic material. Distinctive color changes with short response times, high optical contrast, and better optical and coulombic stabilities were only observed with CoPc-tdea-tCl film.     

Evaluation of Metal Ions and Surfactants Effect on Cell Growth and Exopolysaccharide Production in Two-Stage Submerged Culture of Cordyceps militaris

During the two-stage submerged fermentation of medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris, it was found that K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ were favorable to the mycelial growth. The EPS production reached the highest levels in the media containing Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺. However, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ almost failed to increase significantly exopolysaccharides (EPS) production. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) significantly enhanced EPS production compared with that of without adding SDS when SDS was added on static culture stage of two-stage cultivation process. The presence of Tween 80 in the medium not only simulated mycelial growth but also increased EPS production. By response surface methods (RSM), EPS production reached its peak value of 3.28?g/L under optimal combination of 27.6?mM Mg²⁺, 11.1?mM Mn²⁺, and 0.05?mM SDS, which was 3.76-fold compared with that of without metal ion and surfactant. The results obtained were useful in better understanding the regulation for efficient production of EPS of C. militaris in the two-stage submerged culture.     

Effect of metal cations on corrosion behavior and surface film structure of the A3003 aluminum alloy in model tap waters

The effect of the metal cations, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺, on the oxide film structure and morphology changes during long-term immersion corrosion tests of aluminum alloy (A3003) in model tap waters was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the metal cations on the corrosion behavior was also investigated with mass change and electrochemical tests. The hardness of the metal cations, X, based on the hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) concept was applied to explain the effect of metal cations on the passive oxide film structure and corrosion resistance. The mass change rate and corrosion current density decreased with increasing metal cation hardness. The XPS results showed that hard metal cations like Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were incorporated in the oxide films, while the four soft metal cations were not incorporated in the oxide films. The results are in good agreement with those which could be expected from the HSAB hardness of the metal cations.     

Synthesis, characterization and analytical application of a new inorganic cation exchanger—Titanium(IV) molybdophosphate

A novel polyoxometalate-cation exchanger, titanium(IV) molybdophosphate (TMP) has been synthesized under varying conditions. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma and thermogravimetry techniques. Its stability was investigated in water, dilute acids, alkaline solutions, and high temperature up to 750 °C. Ion-exchange capacity and distribution coefficients (K_d) for twenty-nine radionuclides and metal ions have been determined. It was found that the TMP has high affinity for Cs⁺, Sr²⁺, UO₂²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Tl⁺, Zn²⁺, Rb²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ ions. The results of binary separation of metal ions showed that TMP can be potentially useful for analytical applications.     

Synthesis, IR and NMR characterization and ion extraction properties of tetranonylcalix[4]resorcinol bearing acetylhydrazone groups

A series of new calix[4]resorcinarenes (rccc-isomer) and resorcinols functionalized by acetylhydrazone binding fragments have been synthesized. The IR and NMR data and stereochemical behaviour of hydrazones are reported and compared with the results of earlier investigations. The barriers of rotation of hydrazone fragments for some octahydrazone derivatives of calix[4]resorcinarenes and their resorcinol analogues have been determined by NMR-measurements. The complexing behaviour of bis- and octahydrazones has been studied by liquid-liquid extraction towards the s-metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺ and Ca²⁺), p-metal ions (Pb²⁺), d-metal ions (Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺) and f-metal ions (La³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Lu³⁺). The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been established that octahydrazones do not extract alkali metal cations but show excellent selectivity towards transition and soft heavy metal cations (especially Hg²⁺ or Pb²⁺).     

Nafion/2,2'-bipyridyl-modified bismuth film electrode for anodic stripping voltammetry

This paper describes the fabrication, characterisation and the application of a Nafion/2,2′-bipyridyl/bismuth composite film-coated glassy carbon electrode (NC(Bpy)BiFE) for the anodic stripping voltammetric determination of trace metal ions (Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺). The NC(Bpy)BiFE electrode is prepared by first applying a 2.5 mm³ drop of a coating solution containing 0.5 wt% Nafion and 0.1% (w/v) 2,2′-bipyridil (Bpy) onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, while the Bi film was plated in situ simultaneously with the target metal ions at −1.4 V. The main advantage of the polymer coated bismuth film electrode is that the sensitivity of the stripping responses is increased considerably due to the incorporation of the neutral chelating agent of 2,2′-bipyridyl (Bpy) in the Nafion film, while the Nafion coating improved the mechanical stability of the bismuth film and its resistance to the interference of surfactants. The key experimental parameters relevant to both the electrode fabrication and the voltammetric measurement were optimized on the basis of the stripping signals. With a 2 min deposition time in the presence of oxygen, linear calibration curves were obtained in a wide concentration range (about 2-0.001 μM) with detection limits of 8.6 nM (0.56 μg dm⁻³) for Zn²⁺, 1.1 nM (0.12 μg dm⁻³) for Cd²⁺ and 0.37 nM (0.077 μg dm⁻³) for Pb²⁺. For nine successive preconcentration/determination/electrode renewal experiments the standard deviations were between 3 and 5% at 1.2 μM for zinc and 0.3-0.3 μM concentration level for lead and cadmium, respectively, and the method exhibited excellent selectivity in the presence of the excess of several potential interfering metal ions. The analytical utility of the stripping voltammetric method elaborated was tested in the assay of heavy metals in some real samples and the method was validated by ICP-MS technique.     

Determination of structure and properties of modified chlorophylls by using fast atom bombardment combined with tandem mass spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to investigate and compare the decompositions of radical cations (M^+.), radical anions (M^-.), [M + H]⁺ ions, and [M + Cat]⁺ ions (Cat = alkali metal ions) of chlorophylls. Included in this study are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bacteriochlorophyll a, chlorophyll a allomers, and the corresponding pheophytins. Fast atom bombardment of chlorophyll a produces abundant M^+. ions, which decompose metastably and upon collisional activation to give fragment ions from losses of the phytyl chain and the β-keto group of ring V. In addition, previously unreported charge-remote fragmentations are useful for identification of branch points on the phytyl chain. Collisional activation of [M + Cat]⁺ ions produces fragment ions that are complementary to those of the M⁺ and are used to examine the intrinsic gas-phase reactivity of metal ions and chlorophylls. Peripheral metal ion attachment in chlorophyll a in the gas phase is suggested to be at C-9, and the β-keto ester group at C-10, of ring V. Examination of decompositions of chlorophyll dimers suggests that in the gas phase the interaction between monomers involves bonding of the Mg atom of one chlorophyll a molecule and the C-9 carbonyl oxygen of the other, which was also suggested for chlorophyll a dimers in solution.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene(amido)monocrowns and their photoresponsive derivatives

A series of new calix[4]arene(amido)mono-crown compounds have been synthesized through aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters and intramolecular cyclization of the intermediates. The title compounds were converted into their nitro and azo substituted derivatives to provide novel photoresponsive molecular receptors for transition metal ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis of calix[4]arene(ethyleneamido)mono-crown (2a) revealed that the compound is present in a cone conformation with an amido loop that caps the lower rim of calix[4]arene cavity to result in stacking along axis a and axis c to provide supramolecular aggregates in the solid state. Evaluation of synthesized macrocycles in the solution phase for recognition of transition metal cations (Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) by UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene mono-(amidocrown) 1c selectively shows a blue shift at 38 nm on interaction with Hg⁺ ions.     

Catalytic effects of metal submonolayers formed by faradaic adsorption on the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid at a platinum electrode

The catalytic effects of metal ions on the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid on a Pt electrode in 1 M HClO₄ were studied by linear sweep voltammetry. The anodic peak due to a two-electron oxidation of ascorbic acid shifts to the negative potential side on the addition of Bi³⁺. This indicates the accelerating effect of Bi³⁺ on the oxidation of ascorbic acid. The presence of other metal ions, such as Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Tl⁺, Ag⁺ and Sb³⁺, also exerts similar effects. These metal ions were adsorbed on a Pt electrode at underpotentials and the adsorbed metals (denoted as M_ad) still remain on the electrode surface until the electrode potential goes up to and beyond the peak potential of the oxidation of ascorbic acid. On the other hand, metal ions forming no adsorbed layer on Pt, such as Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ni²⁺, exhibit no catalytic effect. These facts suggest that the presence of a M_ad on Pt is essential for the promotion of the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid. However, there is a difference in the catalytic action among the M_ad, for example, Cu_ad, Cd_ad, In_ad, Sn_ad and Mo_ad display no catalytic action.The catalytic activity depends on the degree of surface coverage by the M_ad. The maximal effect of the M_ad is attained in the submonolayer region. The effects of metal ions were discussed on the basis that the M_ad plays its major role in the removal of the adsorbed ascorbic acid occupying active sites on the electrode surface, and provides effective sites for the activation of adjacent water molecules. Furthermore, from the ¹³C NMR spectra for the oxidation products, the adsorbed water on the M_ad appears to function by promoting the subsequent hydration steps, following the electron-transfer step of ascorbic acid.     

Identification of tetracycline antibiotics by electrospray ionization in a quadrupole ion trap

Tetracycline antibiotics, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, methacycline, oxytetracycline, and anhydrotetracycline, are examined by electrospray ionization in a quadrupole ion trap. Studies were undertaken to evaluate the use of metal complexation as an alternative to conventional proton attachment. A variety of metal cationization processes, including attachment of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were probed. Infrared multiphoton photodissociation and collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) were compared for generation of diagnostic fragmentation patterns of protonated and metal cationized tetracyclines. The photodissociation spectra provide a more informative signature, including more low mass ions that are not observed upon CAD. The metal complexes dissociate by pathways that are similar to those observed for the protonated molecules.     

Purification of a Lectin from M. rubra Leaves Using Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity Chromatography and Its Characterization

Lectins represent a heterogeneous group of proteins/glycoproteins with unique carbohydrate specificity, with wide range of biomedical applications. The multi-step purification protocols generally used for purification of lectin result in a significant reduction in the final yield and activity. In the present study, Morus rubra lectin (MRL) was purified to homogeneity from the leaves using a single-step immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) procedure. The approximate molecular weight of purified MRL resolved as a single band on SDS-PAGE was 52?kDa. Final percentage yield of purified lectin by IMAC was calculated as 74.7?%. Purified MRL was specific to three sugars, galactose, d-galactosamine and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, and rendered haemagglutination (HA) activity towards different human blood group RBCs. MRL showed stability over a wide range of temperature (up to 80?°C) and pH (4?C11). Chelation of the lectin with EDTA did not alter HA which indicates that metal ion is not required for activity. In the presence of Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺, HA activity was reduced to 50?%, whereas the presence of trivalent metal ions (Fe3⁺ and Al³⁺) and Cu²⁺ did not affect the activity. In the presence of Mg²⁺ and Hg²⁺, only 25?% of HA activity remained.