Studies on the effect of purified natural rubber latex and accelerators on rubber allergens in natural rubber dipping product

Natural rubber (NR) glove is a worldwide use product of NR latex, which is mainly used for protective purposes. However, allergic reactions to NR gloves causing by the residual proteins in NR latex and chemical used in the manufacturing process, which are called as rubber allergens, are still a significant concern. Thus, the present work is an attempt to minimize such the rubber allergens from NR dipping products, herewith, finger cot is used as a model for this study. Purified NR latices were prepared by an urea treatment and saponification method, called as deproteinized NR (DPNR) and saponified NR (SPNR), respectively. Both of DPNR and SPNR were found to have low nitrogen content. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify functional groups as a result of the absence of the amine functional group, which can be referred to proteins. For a compounded NR, the various purified NR latices and rubber accelerators were used in the compounded formula. The existing and residual proteins of each sample were analysed by Bradford's assay and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method, respectively. The DPNR and SPNR were found to contain lower protein profiles. The residual rubber accelerators released into artificial sweat were extracted and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique.