Medical gloves made from natural rubber latex - Determination of water-extractable protein using the modified Lowry method - Amendment 1

Gants médicaux à base de latex de caoutchouc naturel — Détermination des protéines extractibles par l'eau par la méthode modifiée de Lowry — Amendement 1

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
11-Dec-2012
Drafting Committee
ISO/TC 45/SC 3/WG 2 - Latex
Current Stage
6060 - International Standard published
Start Date
12-Dec-2012
Due Date
21-Oct-2013
Completion Date
21-Oct-2013

Relations

Effective Date
24-Jul-2021

Overview

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 is an important international standard that details the determination of water-extractable protein in medical gloves made from natural rubber latex using the modified Lowry method. The amendment issued in 2012 introduces clarifications and procedural updates designed to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and practical application of this protein determination test. Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 45 and Subcommittee SC 3, this standard supports quality control and safety assurance in the manufacture of natural rubber latex medical gloves.

Key Topics

  • Water-extractable protein measurement
    The standard specifies two extraction procedures-the "cut-glove" and "glove-in-glove" methods-to expose glove surfaces to extractants and quantify residual proteins. This protein content is critical for assessing potential allergic reactions in medical settings.

  • Modified Lowry method
    This biochemical assay is employed to measure the protein concentration in the extract solution, utilizing ovalbumin as a standard reference and Folin reagent, with attention to reagent concentration for reliable results.

  • Extraction protocol updates
    Amendment 1 refines the extraction conditions, advocating for consistent shaking, temperature control (25 °C ± 5 °C for 120 minutes), and repeatability across test series.

  • Precision and reproducibility
    The amendment includes an informative Annex E presenting interlaboratory precision data from a 2002 test program. This section describes standard deviations, repeatability (within-laboratory precision), and reproducibility (between-laboratory precision) for both extraction procedures, establishing reliability benchmarks.

  • Handling and reporting
    The amendment clarifies procedures for handling pinhole-detected samples, shaking methods, and sample storage. It emphasizes consistent reporting of the extraction procedure applied and permits reporting results in micrograms per unit area.

Applications

  • Medical glove manufacturing quality control
    Ensures that gloves meet protein content limits, reducing risk for latex protein-induced allergies among healthcare workers and patients.

  • Regulatory compliance and safety assurance
    Facilitates adherence to international safety regulations and standards for medical devices, ensuring gloves are safe for clinical use.

  • Material assessment in latex production
    Helps rubber manufacturers evaluate raw latex and finished glove products to maintain consistent quality.

  • Interlaboratory testing and validation
    The standardized method promotes consistent testing results across laboratories, enabling manufacturers and regulators to compare data reliably.

Related Standards

  • ISO 11193-1
    Reference for general analytical procedures involving latex products, harmonizing methods and terminologies.

  • ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2
    Guiding framework for drafting and updating international standards, under which this amendment was developed.

  • ISO/TR 9272:2005 (replacing withdrawn 1986 version)
    Provides guidelines for precision evaluation and statistical analysis relevant to interlaboratory testing, supporting the precision reporting in this standard.

Summary

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 enhances the established protocol for assessing water-extractable protein content in natural rubber latex medical gloves through the modified Lowry method. Its detailed procedural refinements and comprehensive precision data contribute to greater confidence in test results, enabling manufacturers, laboratories, and regulatory bodies to better ensure glove safety and compliance. This standard plays a vital role in minimizing latex allergy risks and supporting high-quality production in the rubber and medical device industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Medical gloves made from natural rubber latex - Determination of water-extractable protein using the modified Lowry method - Amendment 1". This standard covers: Medical gloves made from natural rubber latex - Determination of water-extractable protein using the modified Lowry method - Amendment 1

Medical gloves made from natural rubber latex - Determination of water-extractable protein using the modified Lowry method - Amendment 1

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.040.10 - Latex and raw rubber. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 12243:2003. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ISO 12243:2003/Amd 1:2012 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12243
First edition
2003-10-01
AMENDMENT 1
2012-12-15
Medical gloves made from natural rubber
latex — Determination of water-extractable
protein using the modified Lowry method
AMENDMENT 1
Gants médicaux à base de latex de caoutchouc naturel —
Détermination des protéines extractibles par l’eau par la méthode
modifiée de Lowry
AMENDEMENT 1
Reference number
ISO 12243:2003/Amd.1:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012
ISO 12243:2003/Amd.1:2012(E)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 12243:2003/Amd.1:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Amendment 1 to ISO 12243:2003 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 45, Rubber and rubber
products, Subcommittee SC 3, Raw materials (including latex) for use in the rubber industry.
ISO 12243:2003/Amd.1:2012(E)
Medical gloves made from natural rubber latex — Determination
of water-extractable protein using the modified Lowry method
AMENDMENT 1
Page 1, Normative references
Delete Clause 2 and move the normative references to the Bibliography.
Renumber the subsequent clauses.
Renumber all cross-references to subclauses of Clauses 5, 6, 7 and 8, beginning with 7.2.1, i.e. replace “Use
protein-free gloves (5.1) to handle .” with “Use protein-free gloves (6.1) to handle .”.
Page 3, Clause 5
Following 5.11, add the following new paragraph: “5.12 Shaker”.
Page 3, 6.3.2
Replace the note with the following new note.
NOTE 2 N Folin reagent is available commercially. The concentration of some commercial Folin
reagents might not be 2 N.
Page 4, 6.4
Replace the first paragraph with the following: “Use ovalbumin prepared by ammonium sulfate fractionation
and repeated crystallization at pH 4,5.”.
Page 4, 7.2.1
Replace the first paragraph with the following (adding a sentence to clarify why there are two extraction procedures).
The entire surface of the glove shall be exposed to the extractant at 25 °C ± 5 °C for a period of
120 min ± 5 min.
Two extraction procedures are permitted, the so-called “cut-glove” procedure and also the “glove-in-
glove” procedure. In case of dispute, the “cut-glove” procedure is preferred as it is more practicable and
less time consuming.
In the case of the “glove-in-glove” procedure, if pin holes exist, discard the sample and repeat the
extraction with a fresh pair of gloves.
The procedure used shall be noted in the test report and all samples in a given series shall be extracted
by the same procedure. The extraction shall be carried out in triplicate and single determinations run on
each extract.
ISO 12243:2003/Amd.1:2012(E)
Page 5, 7.2.2.3
Replace the second paragraph with the following.
Cut a rectangular piece from the back of the glove of about 0,5 dm by 0,5 dm and measure its
dimensions to the nearest 0,01 dm. Calculate the area A .
Page 5, 7.2.2.6
Replace the paragraph with the following.
Extract the test sample at 25 °C ± 5 °C for 120 min ± 5 min, shaking for 15 s initially and thereafter at
intervals not greater than 30 min. If practicable, continuous slow shaking at approximately 200 r/min is
desirable.
Page 5, 7.2.3.3
Replace the first sentence with the following: “Fix the gloves to a shaker and shake at approximately 200 r/min
for 120 min ± 5 min at 25 °C ± 5 °C.”.
Page 5, 7.2.3.5
Replace the paragraph with the following (in order to harmonize the text with 7.2.2.7).
Decant the extract from the outer glove into a centrifuge tube (5.3). If it is coloured blue, it is indicative
of a pin-hole or cross-contamination. In such cases, discard the solution and repeat the extraction with
a fresh pair of gloves. Clarify the extract by centrifugation at not less than 20 000 m/s (2 000 × g) for
15 min.
The extract is preferably used immediately but may be stored for up to 48 h at a temperature of not more
than 7 °C or frozen for up to 15 days at below −10 °C.
Page 5, 7.2.3.6
Add the following new paragraph
7.2.3.7 If the result is to be reported in mi
...

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