Abstract: Processes are described for the recovery of natural rubber from solutions containing guayule rubber and resins. The resinous rubber is dissolved in a lipophilic solvent such as hexane. The rubber is recovered from the solution in high purity on a heated surface immersed in the solution.

Abstract: Cyano (--CN) groups or radicals in natural food products contribute to toxicity of the food in animals and humans. It is desirable to remove such cyano groups from food materials. This can be done by treating such food products with aqueous ammoniacal hydrogen peroxide, which converts the cyano groups to innocuous amide (--COCH.sub.2) or other groups or radicals. This treatment can be conducted at ambient temperatures (0.degree. to 50.degree. C.) and is extremely fast compared to ammonia alone or hydrogen peroxide alone, the latter being ineffective.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel class of compounds of formula ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen or linear alkyl group of from 1 to about 11 carbon atoms. The compounds are prepared by dihydroxylation of a 3-alken-1-ol, e.g., by peroxidation in formic acid to the Formate ester which latter is hydrolyzed to the 1,3,4-triol of the invention. The multifunctional compounds can be converted to surfactants, emulsifiers and lubricants, and are useful in the formation of urethanes and alkyd-type resins.