Chapter 20 - Biological activities of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) oil

Abstract

Hevea brasiliensis is the Brazilian rubber tree (the tears tree), which secretes the original rubber material. The rubber tree is of great industrial importance, as it produces latex, which is converted into rubber and about 90% of natural rubber is produced from the rubber trees. The seeds of rubber trees contain 43% of nonedible oil with a high amount of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The seed oil showed various biological activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant, besides some other activities such as analgesic and antidiarrheal.