ECA is not blood group specific, but has an affinity for D-galactose and D-galactosides. It is reported to be mitogenic for human peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

Lectin or haemagglutinin is a sugar stereospecific binding protein or glycoprotein. It is capable of reversibly agglutinating cells. It is implicated in various cellular processes such as cell agglutination, homing of leukocytes, induction of mitosis in lymphocytes, interferon c (IFN c) and cytotoxicity. It is used as a blood typing reagent in immunohaematology. Lectin is also used as a reagent in testing erythrocyte polyagglutinable states. It is considered as a potential tool for analyzing cell surface architecture and related membrane functions.

Purified by affinity chromatography.

Agglutination activity is expressed in μg/ml and is determined from serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline, pH 6.8, of a 1 mg per mL solution. This activity is the lowest concentration to agglutinate a 2% suspension of trypsinized human blood group O erythrocytes after 1 hr at 25 °C.