Extractions and biochemical analyses

Biochemistry of rubber

The analyses relate to the extraction and characterization of the poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) macromolecules, which make up the bulk (95%) of the natural rubber material, but also the so-called «non-isoprene» molecules such as proteins, lipids and minerals, which even in small quantities (5%), give natural rubber its singularity.

Analyses of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) macromolecules

• Gels (centrifugation and/or SEC MALS)
• Macromolecular structure: molar mass distribution, Mn, Mw, Mz, Ip, Rg by SEC MALS

Analysis of so-called 'non-isoprene' (or non-caoutchouc) molecules

• Extraction, separation and analysis of latex and natural rubber lipids: amount of extractable lipids, amount of free fatty acids, total fatty acid composition, phospholipid, glycolipid and neutral lipid composition by GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC-UV-MS
• Extraction, separation and analysis of latex and natural rubber proteins: amount of extractable protein, separation and quantification by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE and 2D-IEF) and FPLC chromatography
• Extraction, separation and analysis of latex and natural rubber minerals: ash, elemental analysis by ICP-AES

Infrared spectral analyses

• IR-TF in ATR mode
• NIRS

Standard analyses

• Impurity content
• Volatile Matter Content
• Nitrogen content
• Ash content

Biochemistry of wood and others plant biomasses

The analyses are related to the extractions and characterizations of macromolecules (Cellulose, Hemicelluloses and Lignin), which constitute the major part of the chemical composition of the plant biomasses, but also of the low molecular weight molecules present in the "extractive" fraction which confer to each species its natural specificity.

Determination of extractive contents

Extraction processes carried out with soxhlet apparatus using different solvents (according to their polarity), successive or not: Measurement of the extractive content.

Chemical composition analyses of the extractive fractions

• GC-MS analyses (Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry).

Macromolecule contents

• Determination of the different woody polymers contents, using various acid reactions:

-  Hollocellulose content

-  Cellulose et hémicelluloses (by deduction) content

-  Klason lignin content

Analyses of mineral components

Analyses of mineral compounds (present in wood, plant biomass, leaching water, etc.), by MP-AES (Microwave Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry systems).

Infrared spectral analyses

• NIRS (Near InfraRed Spectroscopy)

Others standard analyses

• Moisture content
• Volatile matters content
• Fixed carbon content
• Ashes content
• Elemental composition: Carbon, Hydrogen and nitrogen contents.