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Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Year: 2008 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 157-163
DOI: 10.3923/jest.2008.157.163
Utilization of Wood Vinegars as Sustainable Coagulating and Antifungal Agents in the Production of Natural Rubber Sheets
Yodthong Baimark, Jirasak Threeprom, Nuethip Dumrongchai, Yaowalak Srisuwan and Nuanchai Kotsaeng

Abstract: The coagulating and antifungal properties of Eucalyptus globulus wood vinegars (raw and tar-extracted types) in the production process of Hevea brasiliensis Natural Rubber (NR) sheets were investigated and compared with those of formic and acetic acids. It was found that plasticity retention index, Mooney viscosity, curing times (t90) and mechanical properties of NR coagulated by wood vinegars were similar to those using acetic acid and better than using formic acid. The antifungal efficiency of wood vinegars, acetic acid and formic acid was determined from a fungi growth area on NR sheet surfaces. The antifungal efficiency of the coagulants was found in the following order: raw wood vinegar > tar-extracted wood vinegar > acetic acid > formic acid. The antifungal efficiency of the wood vinegars was confirmed through the inhibitory growth of the main fungus, Penicillium griseofulvum, on potato dextrose agar.

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How to cite this article
Yodthong Baimark, Jirasak Threeprom, Nuethip Dumrongchai, Yaowalak Srisuwan and Nuanchai Kotsaeng, 2008. Utilization of Wood Vinegars as Sustainable Coagulating and Antifungal Agents in the Production of Natural Rubber Sheets. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1: 157-163.

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