Determination of Protein Content in Gamma (γ)-ray Irradiated and Non-irradiated Natural Rubber Latex Film

With the recent increase and awareness of natural rubber latex protein allergies, it is very important for all health care workers to understand and recognize the need to decrease and/or eliminate latex exposure in the rubber gloves and other rubber products for those individuals who are allergic to natural rubber latex. This study is based on a series of Lowry method of protein analysis. The field latex was concentrated by centrifugation method. A laboratory scale latex centrifuge machine (model SPL-100, Satio Separator Ltd, Japan) with a capacity of 5 liters was used for concentrating the latex. The process increased the solid content in rubber latex from 29% to approximately 60%, and also reduced the percentage of nonrubber content. The experimental results of UV spectrophotometer (UV-2401PC, Shimadzu Corporation, Japan) showed that rubber films of higher TSC percentage got significant amount of water leachable protein. Furthermore, they showed different protein content for different dipping time in water. Another experiment was carried out for irradiated latex of different doses. The change of protein content was significant. Index Term-immunoglobuline, irradiated latex,