Beeswax

Beeswax ( Cera Flava Latin = yellow wax ) is secreted by honey bees wax, which is used by them for the construction of the honeycomb.

• 3.1 residue problems

Structure and properties

Beeswax consists of myricin (share about 65 % by weight), a mixture of esters of long-chain alcohols and acids, which is dominated by Palmitinsäuremyricylester C15H31 -COO- C30H61, C25H51 cerotic next free -COOH, melissic and similar acids ( 12%), saturated hydrocarbons ( approximately 14% ), alcohols (about 1 %) and other substances (such as flavors bienenartspezifische ) ( 6%). The analytical characterization of the beeswax is today usually held by chromatographic methods. In particular, the coupling of gas chromatography / mass spectrometry using capillary columns makes it possible to reliably detect adulteration of pure beeswax with cheaper substitutes such as high molecular weight paraffins.

Beeswax is very soluble at room temperature in turpentine, but also in hot alcohol. G/cm3 has a density from 0.95 to 0.965. The fat - titration be for the acid value, ester value and peroxide value: 18-23, 70-80, > 8

At 62 to 65 ° C. Beeswax is a liquid and thus can be absorbed by the fibers of a candle wick, where it burns by contacting with the atmospheric oxygen when exposed to light and heat. As a starting material for candle making, it has been largely displaced from cheap stearin and paraffin.

The food additive " beeswax " carries the designation E 901

Color

The exuded by the honey bees from wax glands wax platelets originally a white color. The yellow color is caused by the inclusion of an ingredient of flower pollen, the pollen oil, which in turn contains the natural color carotene. Cleaned and bleached white, it comes as Cera alba ( white wax ) in the trade.

Beeswax in the economy

Beeswax has today been largely replaced in growing manufacturing sectors through art wax. Nevertheless, it can not completely replace. Largest consumer of beeswax is the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, where it is part of creams, ointments, pastes, lotions and lipsticks. The products are usually provided with the "Contains Genuine beeswax ". Large amounts of wax are processed in the candle industry. In the chemical-technical industry ( ski wax, wax paint, impregnating agents, grafting wax ) beeswax plays only a minor role. In the manufacture of confectionery based on gelatin (for example, jelly babies ) beeswax is used as a coating agent and a release agent. Traditionally beeswax is used in medicine and physical therapy as a heat pack for coughs, colds, pains of muscles and joints.

Waking cycle of beekeepers

A large wax consumer is the bees economy in which a separate wax circuit consists. The wax is first produced by honey bees for building the honeycomb. The initially pale yellow honeycomb take some time in the bee colony by incubating a brown-black color. The beekeeper removes hygienic reasons the old, brown honeycomb. This Altwaben be melted by heat and water vapor. After the separation of the pollutants is produced again bright, pure wax. This new wax center walls are poured, enter the beekeepers in their people and on which the bees build honeycombs again. The melting of the honeycomb can make even the beekeeper with a steam wax melter or a solar wax melter. In the beekeepers the trade there are also purchasing centers, which buy up old honeycomb work or trade for freshly poured wax center walls. The generation of new beeswax by bees costs a lot of energy. It is estimated that bees consume about six kilograms of honey to produce one kilogram of wax.

Residue problems

Since the emergence of the bees and brood parasites Varroa mite in Europe in 1979, the re-use of beeswax has become problematic in the waking cycle. This is because many synthetic treatment agents are liposoluble against this mite and thus can accumulate in the wax. The Beekeepers, especially in Germany, have now responded and are increasingly using alternative methods of control. Here, for example, the organic acids lactic acid, formic acid or oxalic acid are used. These, or their salts ( oxalates ), naturally occur in the metabolism of humans and animals. They are also found in crops such as rhubarb. Formic acid is also present in some honeys, like the chestnut honey. Therefore, residues of alternative control methods at a low concentration are classified as harmless. These substances are not fat-soluble and can not therefore accumulate in beeswax.