Beeswax, Wax Honey, BEESWAX, CERA  ALBA, CERA FLAVA, BEESWAX ABSOLUTE,  8006-40-4

Beeswax, Wax Honey, BEESWAX, CERA  ALBA, CERA FLAVA, BEESWAX ABSOLUTE,  8006-40-4

CAS: 8006-40-4

Molecular Formula:

Names and Identifiers

Physico-chemical Properties

Risk and Safety

Introduction

BEESWAX is a natural substance secreted by bees, the main component of which is alkane compounds and wax esters secreted by Bee emollient glands. It has the following properties:

1. Physical properties: BEESWAX is a white or yellowish white solid, with luster and brittleness, melting point between 62-67 degrees Celsius, and turns into a yellow liquid after melting.

2. Chemical properties: BEESWAX is insoluble in water, but can be dissolved in organic solvents such as alcohol and chloroform. It is a relatively stable compound that is not easily decomposed by light, oxygen and thermal decomposition.

BEESWAX has many uses, including but not limited to the following:

1. Food industry: BEESWAX is commonly used as a coating agent for food packaging, confectionery, and an emulsifier for chocolate and vegetable oil.

2. Cosmetic industry: BEESWAX is widely used in cosmetics, such as lipstick, skin cream, wax perfume, etc., it has the function of moisturizing, lubricating and protecting the skin.

There are two main methods for making BEESWAX:

1. Traditional Method: through the extraction and separation of BEESWAX room, and then through smelting, filtration and other steps to get BEESWAX.

2. Modern method: the use of high pressure distillation, solvent extraction technology, from BEESWAX room extraction of pure BEESWAX.

The following safety precautions need to be taken when using and handling BEESWAX:

1. BEESWAX is a relatively safe substance, but may cause allergic reactions in people with allergies, so skin allergy testing should be performed before using cosmetics or other products containing BEESWAX.

2. It is necessary to pay attention to the storage temperature and avoid high temperature and sunlight exposure to prevent the wax from melting and deterioration.

3. When handling BEESWAX, it is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection equipment to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes to prevent irritation.

Beeswax

Wax. Honey bees make it to build combs where they store food, place their eggs, grow their young.

The female honey bees have 8 wax-producing mirror glands, found on the inner part of their body. Their size depend on the age of the bees. After many days of flights, those glands begin to atrophy.

Initially the wax is transparent, and becomes opaque after mastication. It is nearly white when the combs are made, but become yellow and then brown when pollen and propolis are placed inside the wax cells.

Conditions to make the wax:

– the temperature in the hive must be 33 to 36°C (91 to 97°F) so the bees can secrete wax.
– bees must consume about eight times as much honey by mass. Beekeepers say that 6.66 to 8.80 pounds of honey yield 1 pound of wax. Measured in the distance, this will mean 150,000 miles for 1 pound of beeswax. Or, 530.000 km for 1 kg beeswax. A very good reason for its high price.

Can we eat beeswax?

No. I mean we can, but it’s not digestible. It will come out the same form. Experts say it is poorly hydrolyzed in the guts of humans and mammals, and so it is not significant as food. There are only some birds, called honeyguides (see picture), that can digest beeswax. The birds are called honeyguides, because they do exactly that, guide the beekeepers to bees’ swarms, because after the beekeepers take the colony, the birds can feed themselves with grubs and beeswax that are left behind.

Though we don’t eat it like that, we use beeswax in food preparation.

• As a coating for cheese, to protect it against spoilage.
• As a food additive, namely E901, a glazing agent which prevents water loss. Or it is given on some fruits to protect them. E901 can also be found in soft gelatin capsules or tablet coating.
• As a common ingredient of natural chewing gum.

What is beeswax good for?

First of all it is perfect for depositing honey in the hives. From here, people used it many different places, from packaging to processing and preservation. This type of wax is used today in:

candles (they burn slowly and have a therapeutic effect); 

• art: to make figures and statues or sculptures;
• modelling, jewelry – due to its plasticity and mouldability;
• glass and metal engraving, offering protection against etching acid;
• processing food, in bakery, for coating jellied sweets and liquors, used as separation agent, preservation or anti-sticking agent;
• pharmaceuticals: in drugs, pills, capsules, salve and ointments;
• physiotherapy: compresses – due to its warmth retaining capacity;
• ear plugs – because its soft and impermeable;
• cosmetics: in creams, lotions, lipstick, mascara, eye shadows, deodorants, depilatories, hairs conditioners;
• textiles, because it’s waterproof and paint resistant.
• musical instruments: flutes, didgeridoo, violins, drums;
• varnishing and polishing in paintings, art restoration, treatment of metal, wood, leather;
• industrial products: as an anti-corrosion rust inhibitor, or as lubricants.

Types of beeswax

Generally, beeswax can be classified into European and Oriental types. They have a lower saponification value (3–5) for European beeswax, and higher (8–9) for Oriental types.

According to its color, beeswax can be:
• yellow: it’s the crude product obtained from the honeycomb;
• white: it is yellow beeswax that has been bleached;
• beeswax absolute: it is yellow beeswax treated with alcohol.

Beeswax is not pure, that’s why its color is so different. Before it is used it can be clarified by heating it in water and it can also be softened with vegetable oils, to make it more workable at room temperature. It is easy to work with, because:
at 60.5° to 63°(C) it solidifies;
at 62 to 66°C (144 to 147°F) it melts;
at above 85°C  (185°F ) its coloration disappears;
at 204.4°C (400°F) the flash point occurs. (the temperature at which a particular organic compound gives off sufficient vapor to ignite in air – source wikipedia.)

Where can we find beeswax?

Not all beekeepers gather the wax or process it to turn it into candles or other art objects. But many of them are. So if you are interested in buying some, ask the locals first.