STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTIC PROPERTIES OF THE FIELD LATEX OF BANGLADESH

The natural rubber field latex of various rubber estates of Bangladesh was analyzed. The total solid content, dry rubber content, alkalinity , KOH number, volatile fatty acid number, pH, viscosity, density, slud ge content, and coagulum content of the latex; and the ash content, wa ter-insoluble ash content, nitrogen content, and metal content-such as iron, manganese, and copper-in the total solid were determined. These properties were compared between latexes of different clones and the ages of the rubber trees. The total solid content of the latex varies from 19% to 45% and it increases with increased age of rubber trees. T he protein content decreases with increased age of the trees. Density decreases with increased rubber content of the latex. Viscosity is dep endent on the total solid content of the latex; it increases with incr eased total solids in the latex. The concentrations of copper and mang anese are below 6 ppm but that of iron is between 12 and 43 ppm.