Treatment of odor from natural rubber by using selected antimicrobial agent

In this study, aerobic microorganisms isolated from rubber plantation area and known to be involved in rubber odor production were identified. These isolates were used in a study to determine the best antimicrobial agent to inhibit their growth and finally help in eliminating rubber odor. Three antimicrobial agents of different concentration including Sodium hypochlorite, Chloroxylenol and Formaldehyde as well as HISKA® (the coagulant and density enhancer for rubber latex) were used for screening the bactericidal properties by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test. It was shown that the pattern of inhibition zone varied according to the microorganism tested and the antimicrobial agent used. From the results, 1.0% Sodium hypochlorite and 1.0% Formaldehyde showed the potential as odor eliminator and could be applied in rubber plantation factory in order to inhibit the growth of microbes during the storing of natural rubber before processing. The SPME/GC-MS analysis supported the results that Sodium hypochlorite and Formaldehyde possess the ability to inhibit the growth of microbes and furthermore will reduce the odor without affecting the physical properties of rubber.