Page 374 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Beeswax

It is the wax secreted by the wax gland of the worker bees, Apis mellifera (Apidae),
and collected from honeycomb of the hive.

Preparation: Yellow beeswax is prepared by melting the comb under

Characters: water, straining, and allowing the wax to solidify in suitable
Constituents:
Uses: moulds. The yellow beeswax is bleached with charcoal, chromic

acid, or chlorine to give white beeswax.

Beeswax is a yellowish-brown or yellowish white solid. It

breaks with granular fracture and a characteristic odour. It is

insoluble in water and cold alcohol, soluble in chloroform.

• Myristyl palmitate (80%)

• Cerotic acid = hexacosanoic acid (15%)

• Cerolein (aromatic substance)
▪ Preparation of ointments and plasters.
▪ Skin care products (Cold cream, hand cream, balms…...).
▪ Coating of sweets and pills.
▪ Polishing agent

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