Disclosed herein are process for increasing the molecular weight of guayule natural rubber that is solubilized in an organic solvent solution. The processes utilize shear desolventizing to achieve the increase in molecular weight.

The present invention relates to a solidification process of the natural rubber latex by means of polyquaternary polymers. The process of the present invention has the advantage to not require the addition of acids and/or salts, with an evident saving in terms of cost for the reagents. Furthermore, in such a way neither the neutralization step of the rubber nor the treatment of the processing water before their disposal are required. The process of the present invention is suitable both for the continuous and batchwise embodiment, with evident advantages as far as its industrial application is concerned.

The present invention relates to a solidification process of the natural rubber latex by means of polyquaternary polymers. The process of the present invention has the advantage to not require the addition of acids and/or salts, with an evident saving in terms of cost for the reagents. Furthermore, in such a way neither the neutralization step of the rubber nor the treatment of the processing water before their disposal are required. The process of the present invention is suitable both for the continuous and batchwise embodiment, with evident advantages as far as its industrial application is concerned.

The invention provides natural rubbers having improved processability and/or abrasion resistance, rubber compositions containing the natural rubbers, and pneumatic tires formed from the rubber compositions. The invention relates to a natural rubber which shows a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum where the sum of peak intensities at about 4.17, 3.94, 3.84, 3.73, 3.50, and 3.41 ppm, normalized to 10,000 for the peak intensity at about 5.11 ppm, is 8.0 or less.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.

A method for stabilizing a natural rubber such as guayule. The method includes the step of introducing at least one of an Extraction Curves for Guayule Rubber Samples amine and a phenolic anti-oxidant, such as MADA, to a latex form of the rubber under conditions such that the anti-oxidant becomes chemically bound to the rubber. The method includes the further step of subsequently treating the rubber to remove at least a substantial portion of entrained resins. The method can yield a rubber composition of, for example, guayule rubber and including an anti-oxidant chemically bound thereto. The resultant rubber can be suitable for use in tire construction.

A method for stabilizing a natural rubber such as guayule. The method includes the step of introducing at least one of an Extraction Curves for Guayule Rubber Samples amine and a phenolic anti-oxidant, such as MADA, to a latex form of the rubber under conditions such that the anti-oxidant becomes chemically bound to the rubber. The method includes the further step of subsequently treating the rubber to remove at least a substantial portion of entrained resins. The method can yield a rubber composition of, for example, guayule rubber and including an anti-oxidant chemically bound thereto. The resultant rubber can be suitable for use in tire construction.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining rubber from rubber-containing plant material, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a composition comprising rubber-containing plant material and a fermentation culture to conditions allowing anaerobic fermentation, wherein the composition preferably has a water content of less than 95 wt. %. The fermentation preferably does not involve movement of the rubber-containing plant material (or parts thereof), and preferably the fermentation is performed in the absence of oxygen ventilation. Additionally, it is preferred that the fermentation culture is cycled through the composition by percolation. A further step of the method involves obtaining the rubber from the composition.