The Editor, I feel that Sawyer and Bennett (2006) imply that there is something intrinsically hazardous about natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves. The evidence shows this not to be the case. NRL gloves were used for many years in health care and laboratory work with only a rare incidence of latex allergy. The problem arose when the health care sector decided to adopt a policy of general glove use...

Occupational exposure to various environmental factors usually produces serious health problems among the employees all over the world. Allergy is an important cause of work related i l lness. During 1980s and 90s allergy to Natural Rubber Latex(NRL),which contain a complex blend of water soluble plant proteinshas become a major source of concern in clinical science (1). Latex is ubiquitous in ...

The natural rubber latex extracted from the bark of Hevea brasiliensis plays various important roles in today's modern society. Following ultracentrifugation, the latex can be separated into 3 layers: C-serum, lutoids, and rubber particles. Previous studies have shown that a large number of proteins are present in these 3 layers. However, a complete proteome for this important plant is still un...

An in vitro aggregation of washed lutoid membrane and rubber particles, respectively, prepared from the bottom (lutoid) fraction and rubber layer of centrifuged fresh latex, leading to the formation of rubber coagulum necessary for a latex coagulation was demonstrated. A Triton X-100 extract of washed lutoid membrane proteins, isolated and prepared from the bottom fraction of centrifuged fresh ...

ABSTRACT Conventionally, specialty natural rubber (SpNR) latex, namely, deproteinized (DPNR) latex and epoxidized (ENR) are prepared from low ammonia (LATZ) causing high material cost. To address this issue, the objective of study is to prepare SpNR directly freshly tapped NR latex. In work, DPNR via a heat enzymatic hydrolysis process, while ENR in situ epoxidation chemical modification proces...

Recently, latex (NRL) and natural rubber (NR) from Hevea brasiliensis have emerged as promising biomaterials renewable sources for biomedical applications. Although some attempts at commercial applications been made, there is a need to comprehensively document the state-of-the-art of these biopolymers regenerative medicine. Here we present recent advances in development NRL NR materials with po...

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions ranging from mild urticaria to life threatening anaphylaxis after exposure to natural rubber latex have been reported frequently in health care workers while occupational asthma due to latex exposure is less well studied. The results of specific challenge tests and immunological tests in four health care workers with work related respiratory and skin disorde...