PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF LATEX FROM <em>ALSTONIA</em> <em>ANGUSTILOBA</em>

Abstract

Seven trees of Alstonia angustiloba from four different locations were examined using a double tapping system with two days recovery between tappings. The yield of latex from each tree varied greatly between 6 - 740 ml. The latex composition varied little between trees.lt consisted of 5 - 8% rubber, 18 - 24% resins and 2 - 4% insoluble material, the remainder being water. The rubber portion was identified as 1,4-polyisoprene of > 99% cis content.