Extraction and Characterization of Latex and Natural Rubber from Rubber-Bearing Plants

Abstract

Consecutive extraction of latex and natural rubber from the roots of rubber-bearing plants such as Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), Scorzonera tau-saghyz (STS), and Scorzonera Uzbekistanica (SU) were carried out. Latex extraction was carried via two methods: Blender method and Flow method. The results of latex extraction were compared. Cultivated rubber-bearing plants contained slightly higher latex contents compared to those from wild fields. Several creaming agents for latex extraction were compared. About 50% of total natural rubber was extracted as latex. The results of the comparative studies indicated that optimum latex extraction can be achieved with Flow method. The purity of latex extracted by Blender method ( approximately 75%) was significantly lower than that extracted by Flow method (99.5%). When the latex particles were stabilized with casein, the latex was concentrated significantly. Through concentrating latex by flotation, the latex concentration of 35% was obtained. Bagasse contained mostly solid natural rubber. The remaining natural rubber in the bagasse (left after the latex extraction) was extracted using sequential solvent extraction first with acetone and then with several nonpolar solvents. Solid natural rubber was analyzed for gel content and characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for molecular weight determinations. SEC of solid natural rubber has shown that the molecular weight is about 1.8E6 and they contain less gel compared to TSR20 (Grade 20 Technically Specified Rubber), a commercial natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis.

Effects of plant latex based anti-termite formulations on Indian white termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i> (Isoptera: Odontotermitidae) in sub-tropical high infestation areas

“…Latex was obtained from various plant parts such as stem, flower buds and unripe fruits in separate aseptic glass vessels. From stem, latex was collected by tapping method at a fixed time interval [18]. For this purpose, sharp incisions were be made on tree trunk to open the latex vessels situated in the bark or fruits were used to cut open from its top then slightly squeezed to collect unconjugated in sterile plastic vessels.…”

In vitro plant regeneration from ovules of Taraxacum officinale and Taraxacum koksaghyz

“…Therefore, this rubber is a supplement to H. brasiliensis rubber (Cornish et al, 2012). Valuable side products from Russian dandelion processing may include inulin, which is the major storage sugar of dandelions (up to 40% of dry root weight), and could be used directly in non-food applications or fermented for bio-ethanol production (Buranov and Elmuradov, 2010).…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Fruit Latexes from Ten Laticiferous Plants

“…Fruit latexes were collected from unripe fresh fruits in a aseptic glass vessel by making sharp incisions at fixed time interval [24]. For draining maximum amount fruits were cut open from its top then slightly squeezed to collect the latex in sterile tube then stored at −20˚C until further use.…”