Identification of plant genetic resources of natural latex and exploration of their potential

for mould making in art education

1,2
Tsotorvor Rejoice Makafui, 3Nyadanu Daniel, 2Joe Adu-Agyem and 2Eric Appau Asante

1
Akatsi College of Education, P. O. Box …????.., Akatsi, Ghana

2
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

3
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 8, Akim Tafo, Ghana

Abstract

Natural plant latex is an important non-timber forest product that can be used to manufacture

useful products and art education. However, their potential has not been well explored especially

in development of moulds in arts. The objective of this study was therefore to identify plant

species that contain natural latex and explore their latexes in the development of moulds. Latex

producing plant species used in this study were identified at Bobiri forest, KNUST school farm,

and Denu. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used in identifying the trees. Based

on experiences and observations of the officials of the forests and farms, the researcher was

directed to tree species that can produce latex. A herbarium specialist identified the names of the

species. The latex producing trees were identified by cutting the bark of the trees with a sharp

cutlass. The latexes of the tree species were collected or harvested by cutting the bark of the trees

at several parts using a sharp cutlass. The dripping latexes were collected into a small plastic

containers held around the cut area. The identification of Havea brasiliensis, Alstonia boonei, C-

Funtumia elastica, Landolphia hirsupa and Landophia parvifolia as plant species that produce

enough latex suggest their potential for use in mould making and art education. Alstonia boonei.

Funtumia elastica and Landolphia hirsupa produce moulds of good quality. This indicates their

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potential for use in the industrial sector for production of adhesives and to produce artefacts or

teaching aids for use in art education. Commercial production of latexes from these plant species

could help generate incomes and alleviate rural poverty.

Key words: Art education, mould making, plant latex, plant species, sculpture, Ghana

Introduction

Environmental artists aim to work in harmony with the natural environment (References). They

embrace natural products in the environment to develop useful products for use by man

(References). They often use materials such as leaves, flowers, branches, ice, soil, sand, stone,

and water as the basis of their artwork.

The cost of conventional art materials continue to increase and majority of artists cannot afford

them (Law, 2009). This necessitates the need to explore natural art materials in the environment

for use in art works. One of the natural art materials available in the environment is latex from

plants. Latex from plants have many unique properties that make them desirable for a variety of

applications. Natural plant latex are considered bio-degradable due to the liquid latex used to

manufacture the products and are not harmful or poisonous to individuals (references).

The use of latex from plants in Ghana to produce moulds of industrial products and artefact as

teaching aids in class rooms will help minimize the importation of foreign art materials and

generate a lot of revenue for the country. One of the key success in the classroom is the

availability of teaching aids (Patonah et al., 2016). It is necessary for teachers to use effective

pedagogies and materials in education that make the next generation knowledgeable, dedicated,

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skilled and active. Teaching aids consisting of tangible art objects are helpful in achieving these

aims (Choi and Chang, 2004).

Apart from the latex of plants being used to develop teaching aids, they represent non-timber

forest products which play an important role in rural livelihoods and national economies (SCBD,

2008). Robbins (1988) stated that in many cases, latex from plants provide a valuable source of

income for many poor smallholders or itinerant labourers. Plant latex is used in over 40,000

consumer products, including more than 400 medical devices, due to its unique properties, which

include resilience, elasticity, abrasion and impact-resistance, efficient heat dispersion and

malleability at cold temperatures (Cornish et al., 2001). The use of natural latex from plants in

mould making could therefore be a reliable source of income and a strategy to alleviate rural

poverty (FAO, 2007; Hagar, 2007).

However, in Ghana not much is known about latex producing plants and their potential for use in

mould making or art work. Lack of this information hampers development of art products from

latexes of plants. It is therefore important to identify latex producing plants and explore their

latexes in mould making and art works.

The objective of this project is to identify some latex producing plants in Ghana and explore their

latexes in making of moulds.

Materials and Methods

Identification of latex producing plant species

Latex producing plant species used in this study were identified at Bobiri forest, KNUST school

farm, all in the Ashanti Region of Ghan and Denu in the Volta region of Ghana. Figure 1 shows

the positon of these locations in the map of Ghana. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques

3
were used in identifying the trees. Based on experiences and observations of the officials of the

forests and farms, the researcher was directed to tree species that can produce latex. A herbarium

specialist identified the names of the species. The latex producing trees were identified by

cutting the bark of the trees with a sharp cutlass (Plate 1). Tree species that produced enough

latex were selected for this study.

Harvesting of latex

The latexes of the tree species were collected or harvested by cutting the bark of the trees at

several parts using a sharp cutlass. The dripping latexes were collected into a small plastic

containers held around the cut area as shown in Plate 2. In the case where the latex is located in

the fruit of the tree, the latex was collected by splitting the fruit into two halves as shown in Plate

3. The latex was then scooped into a plastic container for use in mould making.

The collected latex from the plant species were stored in a cool dry place at room temperature in

plastic bottles. The latexes became dry at room temperature and were melted to pick moulds.

Briefly describe how moulds were picked

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Figure 1. Map of Ghana showing locations where plant species were identified

Plate 1. Latex dripping out of the bark of the tree after cutting with a sharp cutlass

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Plate 2. Collection of latex from plant species

Plate 3. Latex in the fruit of a tree after splitting the fruit into two halves.

Results

Identification and collection of latex from the plant species

Table 1 shows the tree species idenfied to produce natural latex. The Para rubber (Havea

brasiliensis) was identified at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

(KNUST) school farm. Nyamedua (ALstonia boonei), Silk rubber (Funtumia elastic), and Ficus

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spp (Landolphia hirsupa) were identified at the Bobiri forest. Ficus species (Landolphia

parvifolia) was identified at Tsiafi near Denu in the Volta region of Ghana. Landolphia parvifolia

was not common an indication that it is undergoing extinction suggesting the need to conserve

this tree species. These tree species are mainly from the Apocynaceae and Moraceae family.

Plate 4 shows the flowers and leaves of the identified latex producing tree species.

Table 1. The identified latex producing plant species and their useful botanical information

Common name Botanical name Family Uses Source

Para rubber Havea brasiliensis Apocynaceae Rubber, rain coats, KNUST

gloves, tyres, eraser, farm

condom
Ficus spp Landolphia parvifolia Moraceae Glue, medicine Denu
Nyamedua Alstonia boonei Apocynaceae Artefacts, birdlime Bobiri forest

and medicine
Silk rubber Funtumia elastica Apocynaceae Fuel, medicine, Bobiri forest

pillow stuffing,

furniture,matchsticks

and birdlime
Ficus spp Landophia hirsupa Moraceae Medicine, birdlime, Bobiri forest

fuel and rubber

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A B

C D

Plate 4. The leaves, flowers and fruits of the latex plants identified and used in this study. A-
Havea brasiliensis, B- Alstonia boonei, C- Funtumia elastic, D- Landolphia hirsupa and E-
Landophia parvifolia,
The tree species are used as traditional medicine and for manufacturing of other useful products.

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Mould making ability of the latex from the plant species

Para rubber latex was observed to have strength when stretched and smells like a car tyre when

being burned. It is yellowish and difficult to cut due to its very coarse nature. It is used for

production of tyres, eraser, raincoats, condoms and gloves. Para rubber was difficult to melt

without any chemical treatment. The researcher tried melting the latex in a container but it

continue to burn like tire. It was not suitable for use in mould making as a result of its poor

resistance to oils, fuels and also it is considered a difficult to process material. Its high viscosity

and high tensile strength make it resist flow, making mould making with this latex difficult. Plate

5 shows a mould picked with a melted latex of Para rubber.

Plate 5: A photograph of a mould picked with melted latex of Para rubber

Ficus spp (Hukpui) is another plant identified in Denu in the Volta region. This plant is now

scarce but the latex is transparent in colour and effective for gluing. The latex is found in the

fruit, which looks like orange with plenty seeds. It is very sticky and behaves more like super

glue. It is used for books and gluing other materials if necessary. It is very transparent and does

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not create any trace of dirt. It was difficult to get enough in the environment to use for moulds

since it is getting extinct.

Alstonia boonei (apocynaceae) locally called Nyamedua

The researcher found out that Alstonia Boonei has a local potential for making artefacts like

stools, domestic utensils, toys, masks, canoes, horns, light carpentry. The well-known Asante

stools of Ghana are made from it. The latex from this plant gives a strong opaque strength and it

has been used as birdlime to trap birds. Owing to the adhesive nature of its latex, it reacts if it has

contact with the eye. Alstonia Boonei contains some nutrients and chemicals found in the bark

and the leaves when drunk, cure venereal diseases, worms, snakebite, rheumatic pains, asthma,

impotence, toothache, sores and also helps in the delivery of the placenta (Abbiw, 1990). These

medicinal uses suggest that Alstonia Boonei is not poisonous, depending on how it is used. The

mould colour changed from creamy white to brown. It took three days to dry but became very

strong like rubber after drying and it had no scent in it. Plate 6 shows a mould made from latex

of Alstonia boonei.

Plate 6. Dried mould made from Alstonia boonei.

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Funtumia Elastica (Apocynaceae) locally known as Funtum is used as birdlime and locally used

medicinally to treat urinary difficulties and burns. The leaf and bark are used as enema. The latex

is a weak ingredient and adherent for poisoned arrows and the seed floss is used to stuff pillows

in Ghana. The mould colour changed from creamy white to brown as shown in Plate 7. It took

three days to dry but the mould was soft within and took another day to become strong under the

sun.

Plate 7. Dried mould made from Funtumia elastica

Ficus spp locally called Gyaman has an adhesive nature and reacts if it has contact with the eye

but it is a strong latex used for rubber. The colour of the mould produced from this plant changed

from creamy white to brown after drying. It took three days to dry but became stronger than the

moulds of Funtumia Elastica and Alstonia Boonei. This is clearly shown in Plate 8.

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Plate 8. Dried mould made from Ficus spp (Gyaman)

Discussion

The identification of Havea brasiliensis, Alstonia boonei, C- Funtumia elastica, Landolphia

hirsupa and Landophia parvifolia as plant species that produce enough latex suggest their

potential for use in mould making and art education. The well representation of Apocynaceae

and Moraceae families indicates the ability of members of these families to produce latex.

Further exploration of tree species of Apocynaceae and Moraceae for latex production could help

identify other sources of latex for mould making and use in industries and art education.

The use of the latex producing plant species identified in this study for traditional medicine and

other products suggest their safety for use by humans.

Alstonia boonei. Funtumia elastica and Landolphia hirsupa produce moulds of good quality.

This indicates their potential for use in the industrial sector for production of adhesives and to

produce artefacts or teaching aids for use in art education. This could reduce weight and cost in

mould making and also ensures application in the fields related to environmental protection and

the maintenance of physical health due to the fact that their uses does not involve synthetic

chemicals that have side effects on man. Similar findings were reported by ………………

Aside the development of artifacts or teaching aids, latexes of these plant species would also

serve as source of income generation. Bushman et al.(2006) added that commercialisation and

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natural rubber production from domestic crops is in the interest of developing countries. This has

been recognized in the past leading to research and development programmes during which

many plants were investigated.

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

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