Phospholipids associated with NR molecules inducing long-chain branching part II: Analysis of phospholipids

The chemical branching, formed at α terminal of natural rubber (NR) molecule, was postulated to be originating from phospholipids and bring about characteristic properties of NR. To clarify the branching structure, the phospholipids associated with NR molecules were extracted from the purified NR, prepared by enzymatic deproteinization followed by acetone extraction and characterized by thin layer chromatography. In NR, all phospholipids, including mixed and associated phospholipids, extracted from fresh latex and solid NR from fresh latex were almost the same containing cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and/or lysophosphatidylcholine. The main phospholipids associated with NR molecules, extracted from the purified NR, were found to be phosphatidylcholine and/or lysophosphatidylcholine. The residual of phospholipids afterthe extraction probably resulted from the strong association of NR molecules and the phospholipids.