Enhancement of Deproteinization of Hevea Rubber by Maturation of Papain Treated Hevea Latex

Abstract

Possibility of improving the quality low protein rubber obtained by papain treatment of Hevea latex was investigated. A new method for the production of high quality low protein rubber from field latex was developed. It incorporates a new step of maturation into papain treatment presently used. Typically, the resulting rubber had a nitrogen content less than 0.10%, the reduction being in the region of 70-80% compared to 50-60% reduction in proteins by conventional papain treatment. Under ideal conditions the ash content was around 0.10%. A reduction in acetone extract value was also observed and it varied from 15-60%. Preliminary studies showed that technological and dynamic properties of resulting low protein rubber, are also satisfactory.