SEMISYNTHETIC GUAYULE LATEX WITH REDUCED ALLERGENICITY

Semisynthetic latices were prepared batchwise using solvent-swollen ru bber extracted from guayule (Parthenium argentatum). Emulsification of the extracted rubber with anionic surfactants followed by vacuum deso lventization yielded stable, low-resin products. The swollen guayule r ubber had a low protein content (2.3 mu g/g dry rubber). As a conseque nce, the semisynthetic latices had protein contents (11-20 mu g/g dry rubber) significantly lower than that of native guayule latex (129 mu g/g dry rubber) isolated directly from the shrub. More importantly, th ese semisynthetic latices and the dipped films prepared from compounde d latices contained none of the protein allergens associated with eith er Hevea brasiliensis latex or native guayule latex. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.