Beeswax yellow (Cera)
What is beeswax yellow?
Beeswax yellow, also known as cera, is a natural product obtained from the beeswax combs made by bees. It is a solid substance with a characteristic yellow color. Beeswax yellow has a high melting point, typically between 61 and 66 °C (142-151 °F). It mainly consists of esters of fatty acids and long-chain fatty alcohols. This sets yellow beeswax apart from fats, which primarily consist of esters of glycerol.
Due to its unique composition and properties, yellow beeswax has been used for centuries in various applications.
Packaging
Bag
CAS
8012-89-3
INCI-name
Cera
Application
Technical
Cosmetic Farmaceutical Food
How is cera made?
The process of obtaining beeswax yellow starts with the bees themselves. Certain types of bees, such as honeybees, produce wax glands in their bodies. These glands secrete small flakes of wax, which the bees use to build honeycombs. The bees shape these wax flakes into the typical hexagonal cells of the comb. They then fill the cells with honey and cover them with a thin layer of propolis, a natural resinous substance. Over time, the cells are sealed with a layer of yellow beeswax, which serves as protection and storage for the honey.
To obtain beeswax yellow on a larger scale, the honeycombs are removed from the beehives and stripped of honey. The wax combs are then heated and melted to release the beeswax. During this process, any impurities present are removed. The melted wax is subsequently filtered and purified to obtain pure yellow beeswax. The result is a high-quality product that can be used in various industries.
The history of beeswax yellow
Beeswax yellow has proven its value over the centuries due to its unique properties and versatile applications. The use of beeswax dates back to the Stone Age, where it was already used for tooth filling. Its soft consistency made beeswax easily applicable as a dental filling, making it a valuable natural alternative during that time.
The Vikings also extensively used beeswax and discovered its many benefits. They applied beeswax to seal the gaps in their wooden ships, making them watertight and resistant to the fierce waves of the sea. The use of beeswax as an effective sealant demonstrates the durability and water resistance of this natural product.
In the Middle Ages, beeswax once again took the spotlight, this time as an ingredient for candle making. Previously, animal fat was used for this purpose, but the unpleasant odor emitted during burning made the candles less appealing. Beeswax, on the other hand, with its pleasant aroma and slow, even burning, quickly became popular as the preferred choice for candles. The use of beeswax in candles has endured to this day.
Cera in various industries
Beeswax yellow, also known as cera, finds its applications in various industries. Firstly, it is commonly used in candle manufacturing. Beeswax gives candles a beautiful yellow color and provides a longer burn time compared to other materials.
In the art of encaustic painting, yellow beeswax is used as a binder. Its melting point and stability make it an ideal choice for creating artworks using this technique. Beeswax yellow acts as a medium to hold pigments and provides the characteristic glossy finish of encaustic artworks.
But yellow beeswax even has an unexpected use in the food industry. It is used as a glazing agent in some types of licorice, giving the candies an attractive shine and smooth texture. This makes beeswax yellow an important ingredient in licorice production.
Yellow beeswax also offers benefits in the cosmetic industry. Due to the presence of vitamin A in beeswax, it provides moisturizing properties that help retain moisture in the skin. It leaves a protective layer on the skin and can contribute to the care of hair by nourishing the scalp and hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and helping to prevent hair loss.
Finally, beeswax is also utilized in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is commonly used in creams and ointments.
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Chempri: your partner in
beeswax yellow
At Chempri, we specialize in the production and supply of oleochemicals and their derivatives, including yellow beeswax (Cera). Our products are manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facility and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers.
