Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

making up close to 50% of their content.^4 High
molecular weight di-, mono-, and polyesters
compounds make up over 60% of beeswax.^2
Beeswaxcontainsabout57–71%esters offatty
acids^3 (mostly palmitic and 15-hydroxypalmi-
tic acid) and C 24 to C 34 straight-chained mono-
and sometimes di-alcohols, composed of 35%
C 46 to C 48 monoesters and 12% free acids
(cerolein). Up to 23% of the monoesters is
myricyl palmitate, which together with myr-
icyl alcohol has been referred to as myricin
(ARCTANDER; JIANGSU; REMINGTON).1,5 The
chemical composition of beeswax varies in
part according to the bee species that make
the wax.^3
Beeswax absolute contains mostly cero-
lein; also aromatic volatile compounds.^6 Cer-
olein is soluble in cold alcohol; myricin is
insoluble in cold alcohol but sparingly soluble
in boiling alcohol.

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES

In animal studies, a mixture of high molecular
weight primary alcohols isolated from bees-
wax with triacontanol as the main constituent,
antioxidant, antiperoxidative,^7 anti-inflam-
matory,^8 antiulcerogenic, gastroprotective,^9
and anticolitis activities were shown.^10 Ran-
domized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
clinical studies of the mixture have also dem-
onstrated antioxidant and antiperoxidative
activity.11,12Triacontanol, also known as myr-
icyl alcohol, has also shown antiperoxidative
activity^13 and is a plant growth regulator that
increases yields of tomato, cucumber, and
lettuce (seealfalfa).

TOXICOLOGY

Although beeswax is generally regarded as
inert and nontoxic, allergic reactions have
been reported (MARTINDALE).14–16
Ethoxylated derivatives of beeswax known
as PEG (polyethylene glycol)-6 and PEG-20
Sorbitan Beeswax are currently considered
safe for use in cosmetics.^17

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

Both yellow beeswax and white beeswax are

used as thickener, emulsifier, or stiffening

agents in ointments, baby products, bath pre-

parations, cold creams, emollient creams, eye

and facial makeups, lotions, lipsticks, hair

dressings, hair conditioners, shaving products,

suntan products, suppositories, and others;

also used as a tablet polishing component.18,19

Beeswax absolute is used as a fragrance

ingredient in soaps, lotions, creams, and per-

fumes in levels up to 0.4% in perfumes.^14

Polyethylene glycol-20 (PEG-20 Sorbitan

Beeswax), an ethoxylated derivative of bees-

wax, is currently used as a surfactant in cos-

metics at concentrations of up to 11%.^17

Food. White beeswax and beeswax abso-

lute are used as thickener, emulsifier, or

flavor ingredients in all major categories of

foods, including nonalcoholic and alcoholic

beverages, frozen dairy desserts, baked

goods, gelatins and puddings, confectioner’s

frosting, and sweet sauces. White wax is also

used as a candy glaze or polish. Use levels

are usually low, the highest being in candy

(ca. 0.05%).

Traditional Medicine. In Chinese medicine,

beeswax is used to treat diarrhea and hiccups

and to relieve pain, among others. For internal

use, it is usually dissolved in hot alcohol or

wine.

Others. As a source of triacontanol for in-

creasing crop yield.20,21

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Yellow beeswax, white beeswax, and bees-

wax absolute; first two are official in F.C.C.

and N.F.

Regulatory Status. GRAS for use as adju-

vants for pesticide chemicals (§582.1972,

§582.1975).

Beeswax 85