Low allergenic natural rubber and method of preparing low allergenic natural rubber latex

Abstract

A method of preparing a low allergic natural rubber latex which is less likely to cause allergy, comprising adding a protease having an exopeptidase activity to a natural rubber latex and aging the natural rubber latex, thereby to decompose a protein in the latex to such a degree that the protein and a protein decomposition product, which have a number-average molecular weight of 4500 or more, are not detected; a method of preparing a deproteinized natural rubber latex which is less likely to cause allergy, comprising adding an alkali protease to a natural rubber latex, thereby to decompose a protein in the latex, adding a protease having an exopeptidase activity, thereby to further decompose the protein and a decomposition product thereof in the latex, and removing the protein and the decomposition product thereof; a low allergic natural rubber obtained by a decomposition treatment of a protein, wherein the protein and a protein decomposition product, which have a number-average molecular weight of 4500 or more, are not detected; and a deproteinized natural rubber obtained by a decomposition treatment and a removing treatment of a protein, wherein the content of the protein is 0.02% or less in terms of a nitrogen content, an absorption at 3280 cm−1 is not recognized in an infrared absorption spectrum, and the protein and a protein decomposition product, which have a number-average molecular weight of 4500 or more, are not detected.

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