Physico-chemical Analysis of beeswax procured from Mumbai market, Western Ghats (Natural Habitat)

Abstract

Beeswax is the substance that is obtained from the structure of a honey comb. The bees secrete wax to build the honey combs to store honey. It has rich hydrophobic property, the beeswax is in fact present within cosmetics and body products. Also, beeswax is used in food industry. Beeswax is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, free fatty acid, esters of fatty acid. Beeswax plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine name with Madhushistha (Beewax). The Madhushistha is used for the care of wound from abrasion or even from burns with topical application. Some references in Ayurvedic granth highlight the use of Madhushistha in combination with other herbal and mineral mixture, like Sikta Taila, Mruddaharshringa, Jatyadi Taila, etc. Beeswax is mainly of two types, natural beeswax and processed beeswax. Natural beeswax is clarified further heating in water with petroleum waxes. Because of high demand and shortage in market, adulteration of beeswax with cheaper materials are common like animal fat, plant oil and petroleum spirits (Paraffin wax). Hence authenticity of beeswax is major concern and that can be determined by using physico-chemical parameters such as- organoleptic test, solubility, Melting point, Spacific gravity, Refractive index, Acid value, Ester value, Saponification value, volatile matter. With this justification the present study is expected to determine the quality status of four different beeswax samples procured from Mumbai market, western ghats (Natural habitat). The physico-chemical analysis revealed that volatile matter is detected in market sample (2) whereas market sample (1) shows higher melting point as compare to beeswax collected from the Natural habitat. Market sample (1,2) of beeswax shows slight adulteration hence natural habitat samples (1,2) of beeswax should be used in medicine preparation.