Bees wax

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. The wax is formed into "scales" by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in or at the hive. The hive workers collect and use it to form cells for honey storage and larval and pupal protection within the beehive. Beeswax can also be harvested for various purposes such as candle making, cosmetics, and medicinal applications.

Production

Beeswax is produced by young worker bees between 12 and 20 days old in the form of thin scales secreted by glands on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Bees use this wax to build honeycomb, a structure of hexagonal cells used for storing honey and housing their larvae.

Composition

Beeswax consists of at least 284 different compounds. A large proportion of these compounds are a variety of long-chain alkanes, acids, esters, polyesters and hydroxy esters, but a large number of the compounds are hydrocarbons.

Uses

Beeswax has a wide range of uses, including:

• Candle making: Beeswax candles burn cleaner and longer than those made with paraffin.
• Cosmetics: It is used in lip balm, lip gloss, hand creams, and moisturizers; and in cosmetics such as eye shadow, blush, and eye liner.
• Food industry: Beeswax is used as a coating for food, by sealing out the air, protection is given against spoilage and mold growth.
• Medicine: In medicine, beeswax is used to improve symptoms of diarrhea, and to relieve pain and inflammation.

Health and safety

Beeswax is considered safe and non-toxic. However, some people may experience an allergic reaction to beeswax or products containing it.

See also

• Honey
• Propolis
• Royal jelly