Candelilla wax 2909461 221037439 2008-06-22T19:51:16Z Metodicar 6520271 /* See also */ Interwiki-sr '''Candelilla wax''' is a [[wax]] derived from the leaves of the small [[Candelilla]] shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, ''[[Euphorbia cerifera]]'' and ''[[Euphorbia antisyphilitica]]'', from the family ''[[Euphorbiaceae]]''. It is yellowish-brown, hard, brittle and opaque to translucent. == Composition == Candelilla wax consists of mainly [[hydrocarbon]]s (about 50 %, chains with 29–33 carbons), [[ester]]s of higher molecular weight (20–29 %), free acids (7–9%), and [[resin]]s (12–14%, mainly [[triterpenoid]] esters). It is insoluble in water, but soluble in many organic [[solvent]]s ([[acetone]], [[chloroform]], [[benzene]]). == Manufacture == The wax is obtained by boiling the leaves and stems with diluted [[sulfuric acid]] and skimmed from the surface and further processed. Its melting point is 67–79 °C. It is mostly used mixed with other waxes to harden them without raising their melting point. == Uses == As a [[food additive]], candelilla wax has the [[E number]] E 902 and is used as a [[glazing agent]]. It also finds use in [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]] industry, as a component of [[lip balm]]s and lotion bars. One of its major uses was a [[binder (material)|binder]] for [[chewing gum]]s. Candelilla wax can be used as a substitute for [[carnauba wax]] and [[beeswax]]. It is also used for making [[varnish]]. == See also == * [http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v30je12.htm Candelilla wax (WHO food additives series 30)] {{E number infobox 900-909}} [[Category:Art materials]] [[Category:Food additives]] [[Category:Painting materials]] [[Category:Waxes]] [[de:Candelillawachs]] [[hu:Kandelilla viasz]] [[pl:Kandelila (wosk)]] [[sr:Канделила восак]]