Process for high yield, high purity extraction of rubber from non-hevea sources

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a method of purifying rubber from a plant that naturally produces rubber, the method including: a) contacting plant material with hot water or a dilute basic aqueous solution, thereby forming a plant material composition with a concentration of 3% or less of water extractable materials by weight and an inulin-containing composition; b) separating the plant material composition from the inulin-containing composition; c) pebble milling the plant material composition in the presence of enzymes; d) centrifuging the product of step c) to separate rubber from other material; and e) removing the rubber. Also provided herein is a product that can be obtained by any of the processes disclosed herein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.