Production of soluble protein free latex by radiation process

During irradiation of natural rubber (NR) latex for vulcanization. the late x proteins undergo disintegration which leaves a high soluble protein conte nt in latex products. In order to follow up the effects of radiation on NR proteins, held latex was irradiated with gamma -rays and the soluble protei n concentration in the rubber phase and serum phase were analyzed. It was f ound that the water solubility of proteins in the latex increases with incr easing dose. The soluble protein content in the cream phase (rubber) decrea sed where as that in the serum phase increased with radiation dose. SDS-PAG E analysis revealed that the 27 kD protein together with 14 kD appear in th e radiation vulcanized latex up to a radiation dose of 160 kGy and at 320 k Gy they disappear due to the disintegration by radiation. A new process for the preparation of protein free latex has been developed. In the new proce ss the radiation-prevulcanized, centrifuged latex is subjected to dilution and then centrifuged. In the case of field latex, it is irradiated first an d then centrifuged after dilution. The new process results in prevulcanized latex almost free from soluble proteins. Tensile strength of samples produ ced by the new process is comparable to that from the conventional radiatio n process.