An Innovative Measurement of Extractable Proteins from Concentrated Latex Containing Eggshell Calcium Oxide Compounds by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy, in the spectral range of 1100–2500 nm, was used to measure the amount of the directly extractable proteins (EP) where a small amount can cause a latex allergy to patients. The NIR spectra revealed an amino or a peptide (N-H) of the extractable proteins from the concentrated rubber latex added with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and calcium chloride, the latter being obtained from the pyrolysis of eggshells at 900°C for 2 hr and dissolving in 2 M HCl. The extractable proteins measured by NIR are equal to 5306.58 ± 1727.00 µg/g (0.53%) close to the value obtained by the modified Lowry method, which is 5566.02 ± 717.39 µg/g (0.56%). A partial least square regression model (PLSR) of the NIR spectra and the extractable protein contents yields a correlation coefficient of .72, a root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 1298 µg/g, and a small bias value of ?0.0002 µg/g. The absorbance peaks at the wavelengths of 1520 nm and 1980 nm are related to the first overtone N-H (υ₁N-H) and the asymmetric combination of N-H, respectively. Furthermore, the absorbance peaks at the wavelengths of 1450 nm and 1920 nm correspond to the first overtone of O-H (υ₁O-H) of the concentrated latex compounds. The results demonstrate the NIR spectroscopy potential as a fast and noninvasive measurement technique.