Pichayakorn, W; Suksaeree, J; Boonme, P; Taweepreda, W; Ritthidej, GC
This work aimed first to prepare deproteinized natural
rubber latex (DNRL) and investigate the properties of films after it was blended with various
adhesive polymers: hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose (MC), sodium
carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poloxamer 407, and sodium alginate.
The second aim was to identify the films that would be the best for medical and pharmaceutical
applications. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate, dibutyl sebacate, triethyl citrate, and
glycerin (GLY) were used as plasticizers to improve the elasticity and adhesiveness of the novel
materials. DNRL was prepared by proteolytic alcalase enzyme treatment, followed by
centrifugation. The DNRL was virtually free of protein, produced no significant reaction in the
rabbit skin irritation test, and formed a good elastic film, but it had low skin adhesive
properties. Blending DNRL with several polymers produced better films with different elastic and
adhesive properties. Moisture uptake and swelling tests indicated that its films provided
increasing hydrophilicity when blended with several polymers. SEM showed homogeneous films, and
water hydraulic permeability tests indicated some porosity in matrix films. Blending DNRL with
HPMC or PVA and DBP or GLY produced films with the best potential for novel materials. FT-IR,
DSC, and XRD studies indicated the compatibility of the blended ingredients. In conclusion, DNRL
blends could be used suitably for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
article; adhesion; carboxymethylcellulose; centrifugation; citrates; dibutyl phthalate; engineering; enzymatic treatment; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; glycerol; hydrophilicity; ingredients; permeability; plasticizers; polyvinyl alcohol; porosity; proteolysis; rabbits; scanning electron microscopy; skin tests; sodium alginate; subtilisin; X-ray diffraction
