Biochemical And Phyto Chemical Characteristics Of Rubber Latex Hevea Brasiliensis Obtained From A Tropical Environment In Nigeria.

ABSTRACT The biochemical and phyto-chemical characteristic of rubber latex Hevea brasiliensis was investigated under laboratory conditions. Proximate composition mineral contents non-metallic constituents metallic constituents phyto-chemical constituents and n-hexane extract components of the latex were analysed. The proximate composition consisted of 60.17 0.01 moisture 2.523 0.01 crude fat 2.966 0.01 ash 1.8 0.1 crude fibre 2.133 0.05 crude protein and 30.47 0.01 carbohydrate while mineral contents consisted of 0.016 0.001 mgl Cu 0.082 0.00 mgl Zn 0.001 0.001 mgl Pb and 0.018 0.001 mgl Mn. Non-metallic constituents included 2.21 0.001 mgl nitrate 0.613 0.001 mgl nitrite 0.100 0.00 mgl Chloride 0.616 0.001 mgl sulphate 0.740 0.01 mgl phosphate and 0.1 0.00 mgl ammonia while phytochemical constituents included 3.492 0.1 mgl hydrocyanic acid 0.635 0.01 mgl phytic acid 0.433 0.01 mgl alkaloids with oxalate showing negativity in the latex and n-hexane having a value of 2.194 mgl at 430 nm wavelength.