Effect of Dilution and Leaching Temperature on Extractable Protein Content in Natural Rubber Latex Gloves
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Natural rubber latex is an invaluable raw material in the present world. There are number of
products made out of natural rubber latex as it has valuable properties like high tensile strength
and elasticity. Natural rubber products are two different types as dry rubber products and latex
based products. The synthetic rubber products have come in to the market of rubber product
designing and it competes with natural rubber products. The major problem associated with
natural rubber latex products is the 'type I allergy' caused by the proteins leached from the sweat
or other body fluids (Parra, 2005). The reason is proteins present in natural rubber latex. The
main aim of this study was to introduce two alternative methods to tackle the protein allergy in
natural rubber products. Acid treatments, potassium hydroxide treatments and addition of water
soluble polymers as strategies have been already introduced to reduce extractable proteins in
natural rubber products. In this study, the effect of dilution and leaching temperature increment
was investigated as another two methods to reduce the extractable proteins in the natural rubber
products.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Natural Rubber, Rubber Production, Rubber Technology, Crop Production