Scientist with the Yulex Corp. makes prototypes of rubber gloves to test different formulations of guayule latex
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Contributor:
Cavan Images / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BR7247File size:
50 MB (1.3 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5120 x 3413 px | 43.3 x 28.9 cm | 17.1 x 11.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
11 November 2006Location:
Maricopa Arizona United StatesPhotographer:
David McLain / Aurora PhotosMore information:
Jali Williams a Scientist with the Yulex Corp. makes prototypes of rubber gloves to test different formulations of guayule latex. The Yulex corporation is hoping guayule latex will prove to be a viable alternative for the 20 million Americans who currently are allergic to Hevea Latex produced in the tropics. Guayule (why-you-lee) is a desert shrub indigenous to the southwest United States and northern Mexico. The species (Parthenium argentatum (Gray)) is a new industrial crop and the only species other than Hevea (the Brazilian rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis) that has been used for latex production on a commercial scale. Guayule is free from the tropical allergenic proteins contained in tropical latex. (tropical rubber contains 57 allergenic proteins.) In testing antibodies generated in mice or rabbits against tropical latex protein did not recognize Guayule latex proteins. Anti-Hevea latex protein antibodies also failed to react with extracts from Guayule latex films. This lack of cross-reactivity indicates that products made from Guayule latex will not trigger tropical latex allergy symptoms in sensitized individuals. In 1994 a clinical study of 21 latex-sensitive patients was conducted at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; none had an allergic response to Guayule proteins. Anti-Hevea latex protein antibodies also failed to react with extracts from Guayule latex films. This lack of cross-reactivity indicates products made from Guayule latex will not trigger tropical latex allergy symptoms in sensitized individuals.