Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Biomedical and Dental Materials > Polymers > Latex Terms and Definitions

Latex

Medical Definition:	A milky, product excreted from the latex canals of a variety of plant species that contain cauotchouc. Latex is composed of 25-35% caoutchouc, 60-75% water, 2% protein, 2% resin, 1.5% sugar & 1% ash. RUBBER is made by the removal of water from latex.(From Concise Encylopedia Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed) However, the term latex has been broadened in scope to include RUBBER and other synthetic polymers. Latexes are used as inert vehicles to carry antibodies or antigens in LATEX FIX ATION TESTS.
Guide Notes:	can be synthesized; do not confuse with RUBBER, processed or synthetic; D25-26 qualif; /biosyn permitted if by plant
Also Called:	Caoutchouc
Previously Indexed:	Rubber (1966-1980)

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