Beautiful Beeswax

BLOG 2 – BEESWAX

In this blog, we'll explore all things that is Beeswax!

· Beeswax is the most natural wax as it is produced by the honeybees belonging to the Apis genus. Beeswax’s chemical composition is comprised of the fatty acid esters and numerous long chains of alcohol.

· Small quantities of beeswax contain human flavouring ad food applications, which makes them edible. However due to monoesters in beeswax, it is not fit for consumption, as they are not hydrolysed in the human gut properly.

· Newly created beeswax is as clear as glass and colourless. It becomes opaque after adulteration and mastication by the worker bees using pollen. When propolis and pollen oils are incorporated into it, the wax starts getting a brown or yellow colour to it.

· Beeswax is also used by honeybees for building the honeycomb cells wherein the young bees are raised.

· Did you know that beeswax contains about 14% hydrocarbon, 3% monoesters and 14% diesters?

· Natural beeswax is brittle when its cold and tenacious at normal temperature. It can easily soften in the hands with a little pressure and starts to melt at 60-65°C.

· Beeswax has a wide range of uses including but not limited to, honeybees to make honeycombs (as previously discussed.)

· Bleached and purified beeswax is used to make cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

· Yellow in colour because beeswax is the rough product extracted from honeycomb.

· White beeswax is the bleached form of yellow beeswax.

· Absolute beeswax is the yellow one that is treated using alcohol.

· Beeswax is used for coating cheese. It is used to seal out air and protect cheese against mould.

· Can be used as an additive in food items and is known as E901.

· Tablets coatings and soft capsules of gelatine also use E901.

· Beeswax acts as a good glazing agent when used in tiny amounts/quantities to prevent water-loss and providing surface protection to fruit.

· Beeswax is also commonly used to make chewing gum.

· Use of beeswax is increasing in cosmetics and skin care goods. A German research study found that beeswax was superior to mineral-oil based lotions and creams. It is also a good ingredient to make hand creams, lip balm, moisturisers, eye shadow, eyeliner, blush ad lip gloss. Hair pomades ad moustache waxes also contain beeswax as it is used to make the hair appear shiny and sleek.

· Beeswax has always been a popular raw material for crafting candles. It is extremely flammable ad gives candles a nice glossy finish.

· It is used to make the Paschal candle AKA Easter Candle.