Processes for the removal of rubber from non-<i>Hevea </i>plants

摘要

Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non-Hevea plants such as guayule shrubs. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter).

主权项

1. A method of increasing the rubber recovery from guayule plant matter comprising:
A. utilizing briquettes comprising (i) compressed chopped plant matter having an average size of 1.5″ or less, comprising bagasse, rubber, resin, residual water, (ii) no more than 5 weight % guayule plant leaves, and (iii) at least one antioxidant, wherein the briquettes have a density that is 40-325% higher than the density of the non-compressed plant matter; B. subjecting the briquettes to an organic solvent extraction process whereby the briquettes are mixed with at least one polar organic solvent and at least one non-polar organic solvent to form a slurry that contains plant matter, organic solvents and 0.5-10 weight % water, wherein the at least one polar organic solvent and at least one non-polar organic solvent are present in relative weight amounts of 50-90% and 10-50%, respectively; and C. processing the slurry to remove bagasse and resin and recover at least 95-99% by weight of the rubber contained within the briquettes.