Latex is a white or slightly yellowish opaque liquid with a specific gravity, which varies between 0.974 and 0.986. It is a weak lyophilic colloidal system of spherical or pear shaped rubber globules suspended in an aqueous serum. The rubber globule is surrounded by a protective layer of proteins and phospholipids, which impart the lyophilic nature to latex. The stability of latex is due to the negative charge present on the protective layer. Also it contains a variety of non-rubber constituents both organic and inorganic, in addition to rubber. The proportion of these constituents may vary with clone, soil nutrition, climate etc.

General composition of latex

Fresh latex, as it comes out from the tree is slightly alkaline or neutral. It becomes acidic rapidly due to bacterial action. The formation of organic acids neutralizes the negative charge on rubber particles and the latex gradually gets coagulated on keeping. Therefore, fresh latex cannot be kept for long without preservative treatment.

Latex can be processed into any of the following forms

1. Preserved field latex and latex concentrate
2. Sheet rubber
3. Block rubber
4. Crepe rubber

Field coagulum can be processed only into crepe rubber or block rubber.