Ph Eur
DEFINITION
Wax obtained by bleaching yellow beeswax.
CHARACTERS
Appearance: White or yellowish-white pieces or plates, translucent when thin, with a fine-grained, matt and non-crystalline fracture; when warmed in the hand they become soft and malleable. It has an odour similar to that of yellow beeswax, though fainter and never rancid. It is tasteless and does not stick to the teeth.
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water, partially soluble in hot ethanol (90 per cent V/V) and completely soluble in fatty and essential oils.
Relative density: About 0.960.
TESTS
Drop point: 61C to 66C.
Melt the beeswax by heating on a water-bath, pour onto a glass plate and allow to cool to a semi-solid mass. Fill the metal cup by inserting the wider end into the beeswax and repeating the procedure until beeswax extrudes from the narrow opening. Remove the excess with a spatula and insert the thermometer immediately. Remove the beeswax displaced. Allow to stand at room temperature for at least 12 h before determining the drop point.
Acid value: 17.0 to 24.0.
Ester value: 70 to 80.
Saponification value: 87 to 104.
To 2.00 g (m g), in a 250 ml conical flask fitted with a reflux condenser, add 30 ml of a mixture of equal volumes of ethanol (96 per cent) and xylene and a few glass beads. Heat until the substance is dissolved. Add 25.0 ml of 0.5 M alcoholic potassium hydroxide and heat under a reflux condenser for 3 h. Titrate the hot solution immediately with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid , using 1 ml of PhPh solution as indicator (n1 ml). Reheat the solution to boiling several times during the course of the titration. Carry out a blank test (n2 ml).
Ceresin, paraffins and certain other waxes: To 3.0 g, in a 100 ml round-bottomed flask, add 30 ml of a 40 g/l solution of potassium hydroxide in aldehyde-free alcohol and boil gently under a reflux condenser for 2 h. Remove the condenser and immediately insert a thermometer. Place the flask in a water-bath at 80C and allow to cool, swirling the solution continuously. No precipitate is formed until 65C, although the solution may be slightly opalescent. Beginning at 65C, the solution may become cloudy and precipitates may be formed. At 59C, the solution is cloudy.
Glycerol and other polyols: Maximum 0.5 per cent m/m, calculated as glycerol.
To 0.20 g add 10 ml of alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution and heat on a water-bath under a reflux condenser for 30 min. Add 50 ml of dilute sulphuric acid, cool and filter. Rinse the flask and the filter with dilute sulphuric acid. Combine the filtrate and washings and dilute to 100.0 ml with dilute sulphuric acid. Place 1.0 ml of the solution in a test-tube, add 0.5 ml of a 10.7 g/l solution of sodium periodate, mix and allow to stand for 5 min. Add 1.0 ml of decolorised fuchsin solution and mix. Any precipitate disappears. Place the tube in a beaker containing water at 40C. During cooling observe for 10-15 min. Any violet-blue colour in the solution is not more intense than that in a standard prepared at the same time and in the same manner using 1.0 ml of a 10 mg/l solution of glycerol R in dilute sulphuric acid.
White Wax
INS: 901
DESCRIPTION
Beeswax, White, occurs as a yellow-white solid, somewhat translucent in thin layers, with a faint, characteristic odor, free from rancidity. It is the bleached, purified wax from the honeycomb of the bee Apis mellifera L. (Fam. Apidae), and it consists primarily of myricyl palmitate (myricin), cerotic acid and ester, and some high-carbon paraffins. Its specific gravity is about 0.95. Beeswax, White, is insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in cold alcohol. Boiling alcohol dissolves cerotic acid and part of the myricin. It is completely soluble in chloroform, in ether, and in fixed and volatile oils. It is partly soluble in cold carbon disulfide and is completely soluble in it at temperatures of 30C or above.
Function: Surface-finishing (glazing) agent; release agent; raw material for flavoring agent.
REQUIREMENTS
Acid Value: Between 17 and 24.
Carnauba Wax: Passes test.
Ester Value: Between 72 and 79.
Fats, Japan Wax, Rosin, and Soap: Passes test.
Lead: Not more than 5 mg/kg.
Melting Range: Between 62° and 65°.
Saponification Cloud Test: Passes test.
