BACKGROUND Natural rubber produced by plants, known as polyisoprene, is the most widely used isoprenoid polymer. Plant polyisoprenes can be classified into two types; cis-polyisoprene and trans-polyisoprene, depending on the type of polymerization of the isoprene unit. More than 2000 species of higher plants produce latex consisting of cis-polyisoprene. Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) produces...

The cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) pathway in Hevea brasiliensis latex is the conventionally accepted pathway which provides isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) for cis-polyisoprene (rubber) biosynthesis. However, the plastidic 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway may be an alternative source of IPP since its more recent discovery in plants. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) expression profiles ...

Engine oils are widely used for lubrication purposes in automobile and related industries. Viscosity Index (VI) improver has found its largest commercial applications as additives to engine oils. Examples are power steering fluid, aircraft piston engine oils, modern internal-combustion engines, turbine engine oils (stationary and aircraft), and industrial gear oils. Viscosity Index improvers ar...

bacillus sp. sbs25, a gram positive bacteria isolated from soil was found to be effectivein the biodegradation of natural rubber latex. the products of latex biodegradation were separated from the ether extract by thin layer chromatography. gas chromatography and mass spectrometry showed the biodegradation of the major compound into three simpler fractions with low molecular weights. this was f...

Since the 1950s, rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) has significantly contributed to Malaysia's agricultural economy due its capability produce high-value natural rubber. Due presence of cis-1,4-polyisoprene, exhibits unique properties such as flexibility, high elasticity, and efficient heat dispersion. Cis-1,4-polyisoprene is synthesized via two distinct metabolic pathways: isoprenoid biosynthes...

Butadiene polymerization, in both a highly cisand trans-specific manner, was achieved by using a Cp*Nd(BH4)2(thf)2–Bu2Mg system as an initiator. The cis-/transratio can be tuned by the amount of trialkylaluminum-depleted modified methylaluminoxane (dMMAO). The cis-regularity of the polymer was much higher than those obtained by Nd(BH4)3(thf)3. The molecular weight of cis-regular polymer was inc...

Addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to C==C bonds in cis-1,4-polyisoprene and reaction of the adduct with NaOH resulted in the formation of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte with N-sulfate and carboxylate groups. The polyelectrolyte showed anticoagulant activity and it was found, just as with heparin, that the activity was related to molecular weight and N-sulfate content.