Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis.
Beeswax is a natural wax secreted by the bee and used for the construction of the honeycomb
It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols.
Typically, for a honey bee keeper, 10 pounds of honey yields 1 pound of wax.
The composition of beeswax
The composition of beeswax
Pure beeswax from Apis mellifera consists of at least 284 different compounds. Not all have been completely identified but over 111 are volatile. At least 48 compounds were found to contribute to the aroma of beeswax. Quantitatively, the major compounds are saturated and unsaturated monoesters, diesters, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, free acids and hydroxy polyesters.
Physical characteristics
Beeswax is a tough wax formed from a mixture of several compounds.
Wax Content Type with Percent
hydrocarbons14%
monoesters35%
diesters14%
triesters3%
hydroxy monoesters4%
hydroxy polyesters8%
acid esters1%
acid polyesters2%
free acids12%
free alcohols1%
unidentified6%
Beeswax had a wide range of uses. Though in many cases beeswax can be replaced with cheaper, synthetic waxes, its very special characteristics, medicinal benefits, plasticity and aroma ensure its continuing use. The trend for more natural products in cosmetics may also increase its use. Presently, there is a scarcity of beeswax in industrialized countries, at least seasonally.
Beeswax is considered safe for human consumption and has been approved as an ingredient in human food in the USA. It is inert, i.e. it does not interact with the human digestive system at all and passes through the body unaltered. However, substances dissolved or encapsulated in wax are slowly released. This property is exploited in many medicinal preparations.
The uses of wax today
For candle making
For metal castings and modeling In cosmetics
Food processing
Textiles
Varnishes and polishes
Printing
