Natural Rubber Latex and Gum Arabic: A Comparison of
Physico-Chemical Properties
Volume 3 - Issue 1
Lawrence Chukwuka Edomwonyi-Out*
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- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
*Corresponding author:
Lawrence Chukwuka Edomwonyi-Out, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Delta State
University, Abraka, Nigeria
Received: May 21, 2020; Published: June 09, 2020
DOI: 10.32474/MAMS.2020.03.000154
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Abstract
The present investigation deals with the determination of the physio-chemical properties of two commercial grade samples
of local gums (Gum Arabic and Natural Rubber Latex (NRL)). The results revealed that the gum samples have high melting point
that indicate thermal stability at room and moderate temperatures. The gum samples have about 95 % carbohydrate content and
a corresponding high internal energy and can serve as a source of energy. The rheology of the samples revealed shear-thickening
characteristics with gum Arabic being thixotropic and pseudo-plastic in nature while NRL was observed to be anti-thixotropic and
rheopectic. Further results from the moisture absorption, contact angle and Fourier Transform Infrared Radioscopy (FTIR) analyses
gave better insight into their hydroscopic behaviours. Gum Arabic has excellent water absorption capacity with less wettability as
it consists mainly of more water-soluble compounds in comparison to Natural Rubber Latex. These insights from the study will
enhance wider application of the gums with increased value-addition to the gums and the communities where they (can) thrive.
Keywords: Gums; Density; Wettability; Latex; Gum Arabic; Rheology
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