13. Waxes

Question 1

What is the zoological origin of spermaceti?

Answer 1

Physeter macrocephalus

Question 2

Which part is spermaceti obtained from?

Answer 2

Wax like substance obtained from the head of sperm whale

Question 3

How is spermaceti collected?

Answer 3

Spermaceti is a wax present in the head cavities of the whale Physeter macrocephalus.

Question 4

How is spermaceti prepared?

Answer 4

Spermaceti is extracted from crude sperm oil by crystallization at 6 °C.

Question 5

Give constituents of spermaceti?

Answer 5

Cetyl laurate
Cetyl myristate
Cetyl palmitate
Cetyl stearate

Question 6

What are the uses of spermaceti?

Answer 6

1. As an ingredient in cold cream & cosmetics.
2. Emollient & protective property.

Question 7

What is the zoological origin of beeswax?

Answer 7

Apis mellifera

Question 8

What part is beeswax obtained from?

Answer 8

Wax obtained from honey comb of the bee.

Question 9

Give collection and preparation of beeswax?

Answer 9

Wax is secreted by worker bees in cells on the ventral surface of the last 4 segments of their abdomen. The wax passes out through pores in the chitinous plates of the sternum & is used, particularly by the young workers, to form the comb. Honey bees use the beeswax to build honeycomb cells In which their young are raised and honey and pollen Are stored. For the wax-making bees to secrete wax, the ambient temperature in the hive has to be 33 to 36°C (91 to 97 °F). When beekeeper extract the honey, they cut off the wax caps from each honeycomb cell with an uncapping knife or machine. The wax may further be clarified by heating in water.

Question 10

Give the preparation of yellow beeswax?

Answer 10

After removal of honey, honeycomb or the capping is melted in boiling water. On cooling the melted wax gets solidified and floats on the surface of water while the impurities settle below and honey leftovers get dissolved in water. The pure wax is then poured into vessels wiped with damp cloth and the wax so obtained is yellow beeswax.

Question 11

Give the preparation of white beeswax?

Answer 11

White beeswax is prepared from yellow beeswax which is treated with charcoal, potassium permangante, chromic acid.

Question 12

What are the constituents of beeswax?

Answer 12

Myricyl palmitate (80%)
Myricyl stearate
Cerotic acid (wax acid)

Question 13

What are the uses of beeswax?

Answer 13

1. In preparation of ointments
2. Used in cosmetics.
3. Used commercially in a number of polishes & candles

Question 14

What is carnauba wax?

Answer 14

It is an exudates from pores of the leaves of the Brazilian wax-palm tree Copernicia prunifera and C. cerifera.

Question 15

What is the botanical origin of carnauba wax?

Answer 15

Copernicia prunifera

Question 16

Which part of carnauba wax is used?

Answer 16

Wax obtained from leaves

Question 17

How is carnauba wax prepared?

Answer 17

Preparation :The leaves of Brazilian wax-palm are collected, dried, and then spread on cloth. By brushing and beating, the wax is separated. It is then melted, processed further to purify, and poured into the moulds.

Question 18

What are the constituents of carnauba wax?

Answer 18

Carnaubic acid
Cerotic acid
Melissyl cerotate

Question 19

Give uses of carnauba wax?

Answer 19

Carnauba wax is used for preparation of cosmetic products, depilatories. High-quality shoe polishes and automobile waxes are other products made from carnauba wax.

Question 20

What is the botanical origin of jojoba oil?

Answer 20

Simmondsia chinensis

Question 21

What part of jojoba oil is used?

Answer 21

Liquid wax obtained from the expression of seeds.

Question 22

What are the constituents of jojoba oil?

Answer 22

Fatty acids present in Jojoba oil are.
Palmitoleic acid
Stearic acid
Oleic acid
Arachidic acid
Docosenoic acid,
Eicosenoic acid

Question 23

What are the uses of jojoba oil?

Answer 23

1. It possesses emollient property & is used as pharmaceutical aid.
2. Preparation of cosmetics, skin care & hair care preparations.
3. Manufacturing of lip balm.