Beeswax, derived from honeycombs of Apis mellifera, is a yellow to yellowish-brown non-crystalline solid with a pleasant, honey-like odor. It is utilized in various applications such as ointments, cosmetics, and candles, and has specific chemical properties, including a melting point of 62 to 65°C and a saponification value of 90 to 103. Adulteration can occur with substances like colophony and stearic acid, which can be detected through solubility and melting point tests.

1. By,
Jahanvi P. Tankaria
B.Pharma. Sem 3
Akshar Preet Institute of Pharmacy
Beeswax

2. Synonyms:
 Yellow wax, Cera alba, Cera-flava.
 Obtained from the honey comb of the bees Apis
mellifera and other species of Apis belonging to
the family Apidae, order Hymenptera.
.
 It is produced in France, Italy, West Africa, India.
Biological Source:
Geographical source:

3. Preparation:
1) The combs and capping of honeycomb are
broken and boiled in soft water.
2) These are then enclosed in a porous bag
weighed to keep under water, the boiling causes
oozing of the wax, which get collected outside
the bag and form a cake after cooling.
3) The debris on outer surface is removed by
scraping.
4) The process is repeated several times and
finally wax is skimmed off.

4. Description:
 Colour : Yellow to yellowish-brown
 Odour : Agreeable and honey-like
 Non crystalline solid.
 Soft to touch and crumbles under pressure of
fingers to plastic mass.
 Under molten condition, it can be given any
desired shape.
 It breaks with a granular fracture.
 Insoluble in water
 Soluble in hot alcohol, ether, chloroform, carbon
tetrachloride, fixed and volatile oils.
Extra features:
Solubility:

5. Standards:
 M.P. : 62 to 65°c
 Specific gravity : 0.958 to 0.967
 Acid value : 5 to 10
 Saponification value : 90 to 103
 Ester value : 80 to 95
 It consists of esters of straight chain monohydric
alcohols with straight chain acids.
 Constituent is myricin i.e. myricyl palmitate 80%,
free cerotic acid 15%, melissic acid and aromatic
cerolein.
 Indian bees wax contains low acid value and
European bees wax has acid value of 17-22.
Chemical constituents:

6. Identification:
 Saponification cloud test:
0.5g bees wax + 20ml aq. Caustic soda
Boil for 10 minutes
No turbidity is produced.

7. Uses:
 In preparation of ointments, plasters and polishes.
 Also used in the manufacturing of candles, moulds in
dental and electronic industries, cosmetics for lip-
sticks, face cream.
 Is an ingredient of paraffin ointment.
 Adulterated with colophony, hard paraffin stearic
acid, Japan wax, spermaceti, carnauba wax.
 Adulteration can be detected on the basis of
solubility and melting point.
Adulteration: