Sambucus nigra lectin (SNL) is isolated from elderberry bark and binds preferentially to sialic acid attached to terminal galactose in a-2,6 and to a lesser degree, a-2,3 linkage. Also called SNA (Sambucus nigra agglutinin) and EBL (elderberry lectin), SNL can inhibit cell-free protein synthesis. This agarose-bound SNL is prepared using affinity-purified lectin and heat stable, cross-linked 4% agarose beads. The attachment of the lectin through a hydrophilic spacer arm to the beads is carefully controlled to preserve the activity of and minimize conformational changes to the bound lectins. The recommended inhibiting/eluting sugar is 500 mM lactose in buffered saline followed by 500 mM lactose in acetic acid.