Reaction of the hemochromogen test with the heme protein leghemoglobin obtained from soybean root nodules

The hemochromogen test for blood relies on the reaction of pyridine with the heme group of hemoglobin. Leghemoglobin, a heme protein found in the root nodules of nitrogen fixing plants, has been tested in this paper for reactivity with the hemochromogen test. Root nodules from soybean plants were used for this testing due to their high leghemoglobin content. It was found that prepared extractions from soybean root nodules produced a positive reaction with the hemochromogen test; however, directly tested (non-extracted) root nodules produced negative hemochromogen test results. In addition, stains prepared from the root nodules on fabric did not react with the hemochromogen reagent in this study.