Wax, white

• BPWhite Beeswax
• JPWhite Beeswax
• Ph. Eur.Beeswax, White
• USP–NFWhite Wax

bleached wax; cera alba; white beeswax; E901

Bleached beeswax (a mixture mainly of esters of long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols, with free acids and hydrocarbons) · [8012-89-3]

Polymer, mixture or material of variable composition — no single molecular formula applies.

Semi-solid base, emollient

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Semi-solid

Used as a stiffening agent in ointments, creams and suppositories, to raise the melting point and consistency of fatty bases, and as a co-emulsifier that stabilises water-in-oil emulsions. It is also used in polishing coats for sugar-coated tablets, in sustained-release matrices and coatings, and widely in cosmetics and foods. Concentrations depend on the consistency required, generally from a few per cent up to about 20% w/w in ointments.

White or yellowish-white pieces or plates, translucent when thin, with a fine-grained, non-crystalline fracture. It has an odour like that of yellow wax but fainter, and is tasteless. It softens and becomes plastic when warmed in the hand.

Melting range

about 61–66 °C

Acid value

17–24

Ester value

≈ 70–80

Density

≈ 0.95–0.96 g/cm³

Solubility

soluble in chloroform, ether and fixed and volatile oils; sparingly soluble in cold ethanol; practically insoluble in water

Stable under normal storage. Prolonged heating at high temperatures causes esterification and other changes that lower the acid value and raise the melting point. Store in a well-closed container, protected from light.

Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Yellow beeswax, obtained by melting the honeycomb of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) in hot water and removing impurities, is bleached by exposure to sunlight or by chemical oxidation (for example with hydrogen peroxide) and then purified.

Used in oral and topical products and in foods, and regarded as essentially non-toxic and non-irritant. Rare hypersensitivity reactions, sometimes linked to contaminating propolis, have been reported.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Take care when melting, as hot wax causes burns and is combustible.

GRAS listed. Accepted in Europe as a food additive (E901). Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (oral capsules and tablets, topical, rectal and vaginal preparations) and in non-parenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

Carnauba wax; cetyl esters wax; microcrystalline wax; yellow wax.

White wax is preferred to yellow wax where a white or uncoloured product is required; otherwise the two are used for the same purposes. Because it is a natural product, its composition and properties vary somewhat between sources.