Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees used primarily for building honeycomb cells, storing honey, and protecting larvae.
Beeswax is valued for its eco-friendly properties and versatility, being used in candles, cosmetics, and as a sealant in various applications.
Chemically composed of esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, beeswax is also used in food products, pharmaceuticals, and artistic mediums due to its natural, non-toxic qualities.
CAS Number: 8012-89-3
EC Number: 232-383-7
Synonyms: BEESWAX, YELLOW, BEESWAX ABSOLUTE, BEESWAX ABSOLUTE BRECHE, BEESWAX, BLEACHED, WHITE, BEESWAX, WHITE, BEESWAX, CERA ALBA, CERA FLAVA, FEMA 2126, Bee wax white, WHITE BEESWAX NF PASTILLES), BEESWAX, WHITE CAKE, BEESWAX, WHITE PRILLED, WAX, BEES, YELLOW, WAX WHITE, WAX, WAX, BEES, WAX, BEES, WHITE, WHITE BEESWAX, WHITE WAX, YELLOW BEESWAX, YELLOW WAX, White?Bee?Wax, Chinese(insect) wax, BEESWAX, REFINED, YELLOW, BeesWaxPure(White)ForHistology, Ceraalbaorflava, Chinese (insect) wax,white wax, Beeswax,pure,refined, yellow, PPG-4-Ceteth-20, 37311-01-6, 9087-53-0, hexadecan-1-ol;2-methyloxirane;oxirane, Triglyceryl beeswax, PPG-1-Ceteth-5, PPG-2-Ceteth-1, PPG-2-Ceteth-5, PPG-4-Ceteth-5, PPG-8-Ceteth-2, PPG-1-Ceteth-20, PPG-4-Ceteth-10, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, PPG-8-Ceteth-10, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, SCHEMBL285156, UNII-1OTA54V264, GTABBGRXERZUAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N, C16-H34-O.(C3H6-O.C2-H4-O)x-, C16-H34-O.x-(C3H6-O.C2-H4-O)x-
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees.
Beeswax's used by the bees to build honeycombs where they store honey and pollen.
For humans, beeswax has a range of applications.
Beeswax's commonly used in candles, cosmetics, and as a sealant for various purposes.
Beeswax's also valued for its natural and eco-friendly properties.
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis.
Beeswax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in or at the hive.
The hive workers collect and use Beeswax to form cells for honey storage and larval and pupal protection within the beehive.
Beeswax is a natural wax that worker bees secrete from glands under their abdomen.
Beeswax is produced as waxy scales that form thin sheets.
Beeswax can be chewed up by the worker bee and molded into any shape they choose.
Bees produce beeswax mainly to create honeycomb cells for storing honey and protecting eggs and larvae.
Beeswax acts as a valuable barrier to water and keeps out cold.
Beeswax has a chemical makeup comprising various long-chain alcohols and fatty acid esters.
Beeswax is a product made from the honeycomb of the honeybee and other bees.
The mixing of pollen oils into honeycomb wax turns the white wax into a yellow or brown color.
Beeswax is used for high cholesterol, pain, fungal skin infections, and other conditions.
But there is no good scientific research to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, white beeswax and beeswax absolute (yellow beeswax treated with alcohol) are used as stiffening agents.
In manufacturing, yellow and white beeswax are used as thickeners, emulsifiers, and as stiffening agents in cosmetics.
Beeswax absolute is used as a fragrance in soaps and perfumes.
White beeswax and beeswax absolute are also used to polish pills.
Beeswax is a substance made by honeybees.
Beeswax has many useful properties, not only for the success of the hive but also as a natural ingredient for consumer products.
Beeswax can be used for household items, but there are also biological benefits.
Bees play an important role in keeping our world functioning.
With the amount of pollination that they do, they contribute to various animal and plant species' survival, including our own.
Not only that, bee products are now an integral part of consumer products.
These products are growing in popularity, and help bring attention to all the work honeybees do for nature and people.
Besides growing in demand as a natural alternative to plastics and synthetic chemicals, beeswax is an important material used for building the beehive.
Beeswax is made to store food and house the young bee larvae.
Beeswax is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are formed into long carbon chains.
This structure makes beeswax easy to sculpt once it’s been harvested and cleaned.
Worker bees make beeswax by turning their nectar and honey stores into compounds.
They work together and use their small bodies to make the product.
Those compounds are secreted from special glands on the bee's abdomen.
A lot of work goes into making beeswax.
Young worker bees spend most of their time making beeswax.
Bees use six pounds of honey to make one pound of wax.
The young worker bees cluster together to raise their body temperatures, which helps to make Beeswax easier to work with.
Beeswax is one of the natural waxes that have been used as a support ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
Although Beeswax has well-known healing properties, Beeswax remains a secondary and poorly valued product, particularly in South American countries' apiarian production.
In Latin America, for example, the apiarian activity can be traced back to stingless bees in pre-Columbian times.
Then, with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, honey bees (Apis mellifera iberian and A. m. mellifera) were introduced, which were joined afterward by other breeds such as A. m. ligustica and A. m. scutellata.
Over the years, honey has been the main product from the apiarian farmers, being beeswax a secondary product, mainly used for the regular renewal procedure of the hives.
Nowadays, beeswax's cosmetic and pharmaceutical use is found at the level of small laboratories and small businesses.
Unlike other hive products, beeswax is a substance produced 100% by worker bees.
They produce what are called wax scales thanks to specific glands located on their abdomen.
Mixed with saliva, Beeswax scales take on a more homogeneous and smoother appearance, which then serves as a polishing, protective and softening agent.
Like propolis or royal jelly, beeswax plays an important role in maintaining the good health of the hive and protecting it from external aggression.
Chemically, beeswax consists mainly of esters of fatty acids and various long-chain alcohols.
Beeswax has been used since prehistory as the first plastic, as a lubricant and waterproofing agent, in lost wax casting of metals and glass, as a polish for wood and leather, for making candles, as an ingredient in cosmetics and as an artistic medium in encaustic painting.
Beeswax is edible, having similarly negligible toxicity to plant waxes, and is approved for food use in most countries and in the European Union under the E number E901.
However, due to its inability to be broken down by the human digestive system, Beeswax has insignificant nutritional value
Uses of Beeswax:
Candle-making has long involved the use of beeswax, which burns readily and cleanly, and this material was traditionally prescribed for the making of the Paschal candle or "Easter candle".
Beeswax candles are purported to be superior to other wax candles, because they burn brighter and longer, do not bend, and burn cleaner.
Beeswax is further recommended for the making of other candles used in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church.
Beeswax is also the candle constituent of choice in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Refined beeswax plays a prominent role in art materials both as a binder in encaustic paint and as a stabilizer in oil paint to add body.
Beeswax is an ingredient in surgical bone wax, which is used during surgery to control bleeding from bone surfaces; shoe polish and furniture polish can both use beeswax as a component, dissolved in turpentine or sometimes blended with linseed oil or tung oil; modeling waxes can also use beeswax as a component; pure beeswax can also be used as an organic surfboard wax.
Beeswax blended with pine rosin is used for waxing, and can serve as an adhesive to attach reed plates to the structure inside a squeezebox.
Beeswax can also be used to make Cutler's resin, an adhesive used to glue handles onto cutlery knives.
Beeswax is used in Eastern Europe in egg decoration; Beeswax is used for writing, via resist dyeing, on batik eggs (as in pysanky) and for making beaded eggs.
Beeswax is used by percussionists to make a surface on tambourines for thumb rolls.
Beeswax can also be used as a metal injection moulding binder component along with other polymeric binder materials.
Beeswax was formerly used in the manufacture of phonograph cylinders.
Beeswax may still be used to seal formal legal or royal decree and academic parchments such as placing an awarding stamp imprimatur of the university upon completion of postgraduate degrees.
Purified and bleached beeswax is used in the production of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
The three main types of beeswax products are yellow, white, and beeswax absolute.
Yellow beeswax is the crude product obtained from the honeycomb, white beeswax is bleached or filtered yellow beeswax, and beeswax absolute is yellow beeswax treated with alcohol.
In food preparation, Beeswax is used as a coating for cheese; by sealing out the air, protection is given against spoilage (mold growth).
Beeswax may also be used as a food additive E901, in small quantities acting as a glazing agent, which serves to prevent water loss, or used to provide surface protection for some fruits.
Soft gelatin capsules and tablet coatings may also use E901.
Beeswax is also a common ingredient of natural chewing gum.
Beeswax monoesters in beeswax are poorly hydrolysed in the guts of humans and other mammals, so they have insignificant nutritional value.
Some birds, such as honeyguides, can digest beeswax.
Beeswax is the main diet of wax moth larvae.
The use of beeswax in skin care and cosmetics has been increasing.
A German study found beeswax to be superior to similar barrier creams (usually mineral oil-based creams such as petroleum jelly), when used according to its protocol.
Beeswax is used in lip balm, lip gloss, hand creams, salves, and moisturizers; and in cosmetics such as eye shadow, blush, and eye liner.
Beeswax is also an important ingredient in moustache wax and hair pomades, which make hair look sleek and shiny.
In oil spill control, beeswax is processed to create Petroleum Remediation Product (PRP).
Beeswax is used to absorb oil or petroleum-based pollutants from water.
Beeswax has played an essential role in history and popular tradition for many years.
Historically, beeswax has been used for candle manufacture; beeswax also was used in letter envelopes seals, sculpture making, and sealing coffins, among other applications.
Due to beeswax characteristics, properties and benefits, beeswax is used in both handcrafted and industrial products.
Industry uses beeswax as an insulating and hydrophobic component of numerous products.
For example, beeswax is used in electrical cables to isolate copper from moisture, in electronic circuits, to protect leather, in the preparation of varnishes, inks, matches, and protective waxes for cuttings.
Beeswax goes into the composition of ointments and creams as a fat base and thickener.
The major use in this field is depilating wax, a mixture of beeswax and resins.
Beeswax has anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is thus widely used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.
Beeswax is used to cover sewing cords in shoe production, paperboards, and even in some cultures to produce dried meat.
Beeswax is also used in shoe polishes and creams to protect cans from acidic attacks from fruit juices and other corrosive agents.
Beeswax is used to make models for pieces in jewelry and sculpture modeling due to its malleability.
Beeswax in some Asia and African countries is used to create batik fabrics and manufacture small metal ornaments through the molten wax method.
Companies such as Stockmar and Filana use beeswax to make wax crayons.
Additionally, candelilla wax has been proposed in beeswax crayon formulations.
Stockmar also manufactures modeling beeswax.
Beeswax has numerous uses.
Beeswax has over 300 natural compounds in it, and has a pleasant scent.
This makes Beeswax a popular material to use in human goods.
Candles:
Beeswax burns more beautifully than any other wax.
Beeswax exudes a faint, natural fragrance of honey and pollen.
When candles are made with the proper size of wicking, they are smokeless, dripless, and burn with a bright flame.
The aroma can be accentuated when mixed with essential oils.
Pure beeswax candles can clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air.
These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
Beeswax candles are often especially helpful for those with asthma or allergies and they are effective at removing common allergens like dust and dander from the air.
Whilst beeswax candles are more expensive than paraffin wax ones, they burn more slowly so they last much longer.
Prevents Rust:
Coat things like hand tools, cast iron pieces and shovels to prevent them from rusting out.
You can even rub Beeswax on the wooden handle of your shovel to help protect against wear and tear.
Beeswax also prevents bronze items from getting tarnished.
Cheese Waxing:
Beeswax is the best natural cover for cheeses.
Beeswax works well for sealing because it has a low melting point.
Waxed Thread:
Plain thread can be rubbed against a cube of wax, coating the thread in the wax.
Beeswax on the thread provides lubrication that can make sewing easier.
Coating Nails & Screws:
Nails and screws coated with beeswax help not splinter the wood.
Wood Lubricant:
Rub Beeswax on sliding glass doors, windows or drawers that tend to stick to restore smooth movement.
Beeswax is also a fantastic lubricant for oiling very old furniture joints.
Envelope Seal:
Traditionally beeswax was used as an envelope seal.
This use would be great for an invitation to traditional events such as weddings.
Waterproof Shoes and Boots:
Rub the beeswax over the entire shoe.
Next, use a blow dryer to melt Beeswax all over the shoe then let set for about 5 minutes before wearing!
DIY Shoe Polish:
Restore leather products such as boots, shoes, wallets, bags, and more with this basic shoe polish formula.
Beeswax For Hair:
Beeswax is used as a remedy for dry hair, to help start and maintain dreadlocks and as a wax for a man’s beard or mustache.
Grease Cookie Sheets:
If you have a block of wax, you can simply rub it over your pans and use it in place of butter or oil. (Beeswax is edible so this is perfectly safe.)
Beeswax works best if you warm the sheet a bit first.
Over time the pan will take on a permanent coat of wax, eliminating the need to grease every time.
Furniture Polish:
To make beeswax furniture polish melt 1 T. of grated beeswax, stir in 3 T. of coconut oil until melted.
When this cools and hardens, use a clean cloth to rub it onto your wood furniture.
Then using another cloth, buff the furniture until all residue is removed.
Reusable Food Wrap:
An alternative to plastic wrap make your own beeswax coated cotton material.
The warmth of your hands allows you to mould the beeswax to whatever shape you want and it stays there.
When refrigerated Beeswax forms a firm cover to protect your leftovers.
Care For Wooden Utensils:
Make spoon (or board) butter out of mineral oil and natural beeswax.
Smooth Beeswax into your spoons, spatulas, boards and bowls.
Let them sit for a couple of hours, then rub down with a clean cloth and return them to normal use.
Cosmetics:
Beeswax is often added to creams, lotions, soaps, and lipstick.
This is because Beeswax can improve skin's softness and hydration, and has antibiotic properties.
This ingredient is increasingly seen in skincare items, as a natural alternative that is safe for sensitive skin.
Food coverings:
Beeswax has become an alternative coating to other kinds of wax for candies, fruits, nuts, and coffee beans to name a few.
You can find natural beeswax covers in the grocery store, which are reusable alternatives to plastic wrap.
Beeswax is thus becoming more popular among people who are switching to sustainable lifestyles.
Polish:
Beeswax has been used in furniture and shoe polish, but there are many technical uses for beeswax.
Beeswax is also been used to care for leather products.
The different types of compounds found in beeswax make it a versatile product.
Candles:
Beeswax can be used as candle wax.
Beeswax is naturally scented and makes for nice, natural candles.
Candles made with beeswax were once popular.
Now people have moved on to easier, more sustainable waves for candles.
Honeybees are powerhouses capable of making all sorts of wonderful things.
Buying local is a great way to support your area's bees.
You can also check to see that your bee products are sustainably sourced.
These actions may benefit both your surrounding environment and local economy.
Historical Uses:
Beeswax was among the first plastics to be used, alongside other natural polymers such as gutta-percha, horn, tortoiseshell, and shellac.
For thousands of years, beeswax has had a wide variety of applications; Beeswax has been found in the tombs of Egypt, in wrecked Viking ships, and in Roman ruins.
Beeswax never goes bad and can be heated and reused.
Historically, Beeswax has been used:
As candles - the oldest intact beeswax candles north of the Alps were found in the Alamannic graveyard of Oberflacht, Germany, dating to 6th/7th century AD
In the manufacture of cosmetics
As a modelling material in the lost-wax casting process, or cire perdue
For wax tablets used for a variety of writing purposes
In encaustic paintings such as the Fayum mummy portraits
In bow making
To strengthen and preserve sewing thread, cordage, shoe laces, etc.
As a component of sealing wax
To strengthen and to forestall splitting and cracking of wind instrument reeds
To form the mouthpieces of a didgeridoo, and the frets on the Philippine kutiyapi – a type of boat lute
As a sealant or lubricant for bullets in cap and ball firearms
To stabilize the military explosive Torpex – before being replaced by a petroleum-based product
In producing Javanese batik
As an ancient form of dental tooth filling
As the joint filler in the slate bed of pool and billiard tables.
Benefits of Beeswax:
Beeswax has numerous benefits for honeybees and their hives.
This material plays an important role in the honeybee colony's function and health.
The good news is that it's also useful to humans.
Beeswax has been shown to have multiple therapeutic properties.
The natural components of beeswax also give it healing properties.
Beeswax products are used on the exterior of your skin.
Unlike honey, it's not meant to be consumed.
Some of these include:
Healing bruises
Reducing inflammation
Treating burns
There is a long history in European and Asian usage of beeswax in traditional medicine.
More modern researchers are studying the antimicrobial properties of beeswax, and some studies have shown a reduction of the effect of salmonella and staphylococcus.
Another benefit of beeswax is its low irritant content.
This makes Beeswax popular in cosmetics and makeup.
Because of beeswax's softening and protective properties, it's safe for many skin types.
All natural:
Coming from the honeycomb of the honeybee, beeswax is a completely all-natural substance straight from Mother Nature.
Honeybees consume honey and pollen to produce the wax.
Beeswax takes about eight pounds of honey to produce just one pound of beeswax.
Antibacterial:
Like honey, beeswax has antibacterial properties helping keep things clean and reducing risks of contamination.
This makes Beeswax a common ingredient in skin treatments, salves, and more.
Antifungal:
Beeswax is also thought to have antifungal properties preventing the growth of yeasts and other fungi.
Edible:
While it wouldn’t provide you with many nutrients, beeswax is non-toxic and safe if ingested which is one of the reasons Beeswax makes an excellent lip balm.
Better even when burned:
Unlike candles made from other wax, beeswax candles burn brighter and cleaner as they emit negative ions that are known to help purify the air.
Beeswax also smells great when burned without any added chemicals or scents, as Beeswax's naturally aromatic from the honey and flower nectar that’s found in the honeycomb.
Waterproof:
Beeswax has been used throughout history as a sealant and waterproofing agent for items like belts, tents, and shoes.
By rubbing beeswax onto a surface like leather or canvas and then heating Beeswax, Beeswax seeps into the materials’ fibers and blocks water from passing through.
Moisturising:
A common ingredient in lotions, salves, and balms, beeswax helps lock in moisture making it a great defense against dry skin, lips, or hair.
Eco-friendly:
Since beeswax comes directly from bees and is non-toxic, beeswax is completely environmentally friendly and an important ingredient in a range of eco-friendly products.
Also, we use beeswax to make our beeswax wraps and beeswax food bags.
Never goes bad:
Propolis in Beeswax:
Beeswax contains a natural, powerful protective substance called propolis, which shields beeswax from ever going bad.
Made by the bees by combining tree resin with wax flakes and pollen, propolis is used to used fix and strengthen the beehive while protecting the hive with an antiseptic barrier – the name propolis comes from the Greek meaning “defense of the city.”
These protective qualities are so effective that unspoiled beeswax has even been found in ancient tombs.
That said, Beeswax is possible for commercial or homemade beeswax products that also include other ingredients to go bad.
Beeswax and its beneficial properties:
With so many beneficial properties, beeswax is a healthy and harmless alternative to plastic for storing food.
Beeswax wraps use the natural power of beeswax to protect and store your food in a safe way as a plastic wrap alternative.
Since beeswax is waterproof, it keeps unwanted moisture out of food while trapping the food’s natural moisture in.
Meanwhile, its antibacterial and antifungal properties keep bacteria and germs at bay while the fact that Beeswax's all-natural and nontoxic means that, unlike chemical-filled plastics, it’s safe to have close to your food.
Many people even use beeswax to seal fresh cheeses for aging – you can’t get much closer than that.
BENEFITS OF BEESWAX FOR THE SKIN AND HAIR:
The softening, emulsifying and protective properties of beeswax are particularly valuable for helping to nourish the skin and contribute to naturally maintaining its elasticity and flexibility.
Rich in fatty acids, Beeswax is widely found in the formulation of cosmetic treatments intended for dry skin and mature skin.
Beeswax is also a key ingredient in lip balms and hand creams.
Applied on the skin, Beeswax gives instant comfort thanks to its softening action and provides lasting protection against external aggression such as the cold or wind.
In addition to being recommended in facial and body treatments, beeswax can also be used on the hair to nourish ends and facilitate styling, in association with other ingredients.
To enjoy the benefits of beeswax, we have integrated it in some of our cosmetic products.
You can therefore find Beeswax alongside other hive products in our hand cream, our lip balm and even our moisturising day cream for normal skin.
Beeswax Formulation For Creams And Ointments:
In general, to obtain a dermo-cosmetic cream, the components of each phase must be mixed separately at a temperature close to 60 ºC, then incorporated one phase into the other under mixing, cool, and homogenize.
However, the preparation is more straightforward for ointments as a single phase.
The procedure consists basically in melting the beeswax at a temperature higher than 65 ºC and adding the formulation components.
In this sense, the cream or ointment components must be chosen according to the objective pursued with the application on the skin.
Thus, beeswax can be used as a component in moisturizing creams for burns, stretch marks, wrinkles, cellulite, lip balms, and even sunscreen formulations
Chemical Composition of Beeswax:
An approximate chemical formula for beeswax is C15H31COOC30H61.
Beeswax's main constituents are palmitate, palmitoleate, and oleate esters of long-chain (30–32 carbons) aliphatic alcohols, with the ratio of triacontanyl palmitate CH3(CH2)29O-CO-(CH2)14CH3 to cerotic acid CH3(CH2)24COOH, the two principal constituents, being 6:1.
Beeswax can be classified generally into European and Oriental types.
The saponification value is lower (3–5) for European beeswax, and higher (8–9) for Oriental types.
The analytical characterization can be done by high-temperature gas chromatography.
Characteristics of Beeswax:
Beeswax has a very rich composition: Beeswax contains over 300 different molecules!
Beeswax mainly contains alcohol esters, fatty acids and sugars, as well as a significant quantity of vitamin A.
Produced at the heart of the hive, Beeswax also contains traces of propolis, pollen and other elements.
When Beeswax is produced by bees, beeswax is white, but it progressively takes on a darker tint from contact with the pollen and propolis found in the hive.
Beeswax is a valued substance in industry, as Beeswax is very easy to work with.
Malleable at room temperature, Beeswax becomes liquid when it is melted.
Beeswax can also be kept for a long time, and its different properties make it a popular ingredient.
Physical Characteristics:
Beeswax is a fragrant solid at room temperature.
The colors are light yellow, medium yellow, or dark brown and white.
Beeswax is a tough wax formed from a mixture of several chemical compounds.
Beeswax has a relatively low melting point range of 62 to 64 °C (144 to 147 °F).
If beeswax is heated above 85 °C (185 °F) discoloration occurs.
The flash point of beeswax is 204.4 °C (400 °F).
Beeswax, a wax ester, is a major component of beeswax.
When natural beeswax is cold, it is brittle, and its fracture is dry and granular.
At room temperature (conventionally taken as about 20 °C (68 °F)), Beeswax is tenacious and it softens further at human body temperature (37 °C (99 °F)).
Beeswax is an inert material with high plasticity at a relatively low temperature (around 32ºC).
Beeswax's melting point is not constant since the composition varies slightly depending on its origin.
Typical values are between (62 °C to 65 °C).
Beeswax's relative density at 15 ºC is reported between 0.958 g/cm3 to 0.970 g/cm3, while its thermal conductivity is approximately 0.25 W/m.K.
Beeswax is also known that the viscosity at 100 °C is less than 20 mPa.
The boiling point is unknown and has a flash point at temperatures higher than 180 °C.
Pharmaceutical Properties of Beeswax:
Sterols present in beeswax are therapeutically beneficial compounds effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
The incorporation of sterols into different foods may be convenient.
Beeswax is used for delicate skin care in cosmetology, especially when it is dry.
Beeswax cleans the epidermis and softens and nourishes the dermis, thus preventing skin aging.
Products that contain beeswax soften the skin.
White wax typically enters the composition of nourishing, astringent, cleansing creams and skin masks.
The therapeutic properties of beeswax were already known in antiquity.
In his famous "Canon of medicine," Avicenna cites several medicine formulas whose composition includes beeswax.
In addition, archeological evidence of beeswax ointments has been found from as early as the 16th century.
Nowadays, beeswax continues to occupy a prominent place in medicine preparations.
According to Pharmacopoeia, plasters, ointments and creams should be prepared in pharmacies with a beeswax base.
In addition, the white wax is included in the composition of creams, astringents, cleaning, whitening, and facial masks.
In the United States, chewing gum (combs wax) is attributed to have specific valuable properties, among others, to activate the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, eliminate dental stones, and reduce nicotine concentrations in smokers.
Recently, beeswax has been used to encapsulate drugs and flavors.
Purification of Beeswax:
As found in combs, beeswax is yellow and has a particular smell similar to honey.
Beeswax's purification is carried out through several procedures reported in the literature.
The purification procedure consists in melting beeswax in a water bath at a temperature higher than 60 ºC.
Then beeswax is bleached through a variety of methods, among them: exposition to the sun, through diatomaceous earth and activated carbon, or with sulfuric acid.
The molten beeswax is then poured on a vessel and partially submerged in temperate water while slowly mixing, and the impurities are scraped off the surface.
The purified beeswax is white and translucent and has thin edges.
Production of Beeswax:
Beeswax is formed by worker bees, which secrete it from eight wax-producing mirror glands on the inner sides of the sternites (the ventral shield or plate of each segment of the body) on abdominal segments 4 to 7.
The sizes of these wax glands depend on the age of the worker, and after many daily flights, these glands gradually begin to atrophy.
The new wax is initially glass-clear and colorless, becoming opaque after chewing and being contaminated with pollen by the hive worker bees, becoming progressively yellower or browner by incorporation of pollen oils and propolis.
Beeswax scales are about three millimetres (0.12 in) across and 0.1 mm (0.0039 in) thick, and about 1100 are needed to make a gram of wax.
Worker bees use the beeswax to build honeycomb cells.
For the wax-making bees to secrete wax, the ambient temperature in the hive must be 33 to 36 °C (91 to 97 °F).
The book Beeswax Production, Harvesting, Processing and Products suggests one kilogram (2.2 lb) of beeswax is sufficient to store 22 kg (49 lb) of honey.
Another study estimated that one kilogram (2.2 lb) of wax can store 24 to 30 kg (53 to 66 lb) of honey.
Sugars from honey are metabolized into beeswax in wax-gland-associated fat cells.
The amount of honey used by bees to produce wax has not been accurately determined, but according to Whitcomb's 1946 experiment, 6.66 to 8.80 kg (14.7 to 19.4 lb) of honey yields one kilogram (2.2 lb) of wax.
Processing of Beeswax:
Beeswax as a product for human use may come from cappings cut off the cells in the process of extraction, from old comb that is scrapped, or from unwanted burr comb and brace comb removed from a hive.
Beeswax's color varies from nearly white to brownish, but most often is a shade of yellow, depending on purity, the region, and the type of flowers gathered by the bees.
Beeswax from the brood comb of the honey bee hive tends to be darker than wax from the honeycomb because impurities accumulate more quickly in the brood comb.
Due to the impurities, Beeswax must be rendered before further use.
The leftovers are called slumgum, and is derived from old breeding rubbish (pupa casings, cocoons, shed larva skins, etc.), bee droppings, propolis, and general rubbish.
Beeswax may be clarified further by heating in water.
As with petroleum waxes, Beeswax may be softened by dilution with mineral oil or vegetable oil to make it more workable at room temperature.
History of Beeswax:
While we discovered the benefits and properties of beehive products relatively recently, they were commonly used across the different civilisations which preceded us.
The first traces of the use of beeswax have been found in Turkey, where it was discovered on pottery shards dating to seven thousand years ago.
Other discoveries also lead us to believe that beeswax was used traditionally during pre-Neolithic then Neolithic periods.
In the present day, beeswax has many uses.
Beeswax is often found in the cosmetics sector, where it serves as a protective and softening agent. Beeswax is also used to make candles, as well as being used as a food additive.
Zero waste proponents also use Beeswax to create “bee-wrap”, an alternative to plastic containers for preserving food in a more ecological way.
Handling and Storage of Beeswax:
Handling:
Use:
Handle beeswax with clean, dry tools and equipment to prevent contamination.
Avoid:
Minimize prolonged skin contact; beeswax is generally non-toxic but can cause skin irritation in some individuals.
Temperature:
Handle at temperatures suitable for its melting point (around 62-64°C or 144-147°F) to prevent it from becoming too soft or too hard.
Storage:
When Beeswax is heated above 150℃, esterification occurs with a consequent lowering of acid value and elevation of melting point.
Beeswax is stable when stored in a well-closed container, protected from ligh.
Conditions:
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent melting or degradation.
Containers:
Keep in airtight containers to avoid contamination and moisture absorption.
Separation:
Store separately from strong acids, bases, and oxidizers to avoid potential reactions.
Reactivity and Stability of Beeswax:
Reactivity:
Chemical Stability:
Beeswax is generally stable under normal conditions.
It does not react vigorously with most substances.
Incompatibilities:
Avoid contact with strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents.
Stability:
Thermal Stability:
Stable up to its melting point; exposure to high temperatures can cause it to melt or degrade.
Storage Stability:
Long-term storage is stable if kept in appropriate conditions (cool, dry, and dark).
First Aid Measures of Beeswax:
Move to an area with fresh air.
If respiratory symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
If irritation develops or persists, seek medical advice.
Eye Contact:
Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes.
If irritation continues, seek medical attention.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, rinse mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical advice if a large amount is ingested or if symptoms occur.
Firefighting Measures of Beeswax:
Fire Extinguishing Agents:
Suitable:
Use dry chemical fire extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers, or foam for fires involving beeswax.
Unsuitable:
Water is not recommended as it can spread the wax and may not be effective.
Firefighting Procedures:
Protection:
Wear appropriate protective clothing and respiratory protection.
Evacuation:
Ensure that untrained individuals and those not equipped with protective gear are kept away from the fire area.
Hazardous Combustion Products:
Products:
Combustion may produce smoke and fumes; ensure proper ventilation and avoid inhaling fumes.
Accidental Release Measures of Beeswax:
Personal Precautions:
Protection:
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid direct contact with the wax.
Ventilation:
Ensure good ventilation if the release is in a confined area.
Containment and Cleanup:
Containment:
Contain spills to prevent spreading.
Use barriers if necessary.
Cleanup:
Collect wax using appropriate tools.
For larger spills, use absorbent materials to clean up.
Dispose of according to local regulations.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Measures of Beeswax:
Exposure Controls:
Engineering Controls:
Ensure good ventilation in areas where beeswax is melted or processed to avoid excessive inhalation of fumes.
Personal Hygiene:
Practice good hygiene, including washing hands after handling beeswax.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Eye Protection:
Safety glasses or goggles if there is a risk of splashing.
Skin Protection:
Wear gloves to avoid direct skin contact, especially if handling hot wax.
Respiratory Protection:
Use a dust mask or respirator if working in an environment with fumes or dust.
Properties of Beeswax:
Wax content type Percentage:
Hydrocarbons: 14%
Monoesters: 35%
Diesters: 14%
Triesters: 3%
Hydroxy monoesters: 4%
Hydroxy polyesters: 8%
Acid esters: 1%
Acid polyesters: 2%
Free fatty acids: 12%
Free fatty alcohols: 1%
Unidentified: 6%
Names of Beeswax:
IUPAC Names:
BEESWAX
Beeswax extract
cera alba