Candelilla wax
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2008-06-22T19:51:16Z
Metodicar
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/* 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]]
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[[sr:Канделила восак]]