Whole Plant Utilization of Sunflowers as a Renewable Source of Strategic Materials (Rubber).

Abstract

In an attempt to discover and develop new domestic sources of natural ruber (NR), 143 population of 47 species of sunflowers were collected and analyzed for their content of NR. Yields of crude NR obtained ranged from traces to 2.15% of the dry weight of the plant material. These quantities of NR are significantly lower (by approximately one order of magnitude) than those obtainable from domestic guayule plants. In addition, samples of sunflower NR were examined using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and were found to have low molecular weight elastomeric properties unsuitable for use in traditional Hevea latex or guayule NR applications. Thus, because of low yields, low NR molecular weights and quality, and relatively narrow genetic diversity in sunflower NR production characteristics, it is highly unlikely that sunflowers could serve as a domestic source of NR in the foreseeable future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 14, 1985
Accession Number
ADA155833

Entities

People

  • G. A. Stone
  • J. R. Martineau
  • M. F. Balandrin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • California
  • Chemistry
  • Fuels
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genetics
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Molecular Weight
  • Natural Rubber
  • North America
  • North Dakota
  • Plants
  • Production
  • Strategic Materials
  • Tensile Strength
  • United States

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Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology