What is Carnauba Wax?
Carnauba wax is a natural product obtained from the leaves of some palms belonging to the Copernicia genus, among which the species stands out Copernicia cerifera And the species Copernicia prunifera (Mueller), native palm of Argentina, South America and the north-eastern regions of Brazil, where it is still cultivated today. It is no coincidence that the term "carnauba" derives from the name of an indigenous Brazilian population.
Image taken from en.wikipedia.org
Carnauba is a highly prized vegetable wax, whose prestige has earned it the nickname of "queen of waxes".
This particular type of research finds use in numerous fields, from the cosmetic one, up to the use in the food industry.
Production
Carnauba wax covers the leaves and buds of the palm, protecting them from the sun and excess water during the rainy season.
The leaves, collected in the arid season, are dried in the sun, then scraped and beaten to detach the wax.
Depending on the intended use, the wax thus obtained is more or less refined and bleached, melted and piled up in loaves or other formats.
The purification of carnauba wax usually takes place by filtration, centrifugation and bleaching.
According to the degree of purity, carnauba wax is classified into three different groups, distinguished by the initials T1, T3 and T4.
Composition
Carnauba wax is mainly composed of esters of hydroxylated fatty acids such as, for example, carnaubic acid and cerotic acid (in a percentage of about 80%), to which are also added fatty alcohols (about 10%) and hydroxycarboxylic acids ( in percentages of about 6-10%).
Features
Visually, the carnauba wax varies in color from greenish-gray to pale yellow, or possibly whitish due to the discoloration process it has undergone. It is insoluble in water but soluble - especially when hot - in common organic solvents such as ethyl acetate.
It is characterized by a particularly high melting point (82 ° - 85.5 ° C); for this reason it is much more consistent than other waxes, to which it is added to increase the melting point, hardness and resistance of the product.
Palm from which carnauba wax is extracted
Property
Given its particular characteristics - and, in particular, its high melting point - and given its singular composition, carnauba wax has a series of properties that allow it to be used in the most varied fields.
In fact, carnauba wax is equipped with:
- Emollient properties for the skin;
- Polishing properties;
- Water-repellent properties (it forms a sort of film that protects the surface on which it is applied from water);
- Thickening and hardening properties (given the high melting point it gives greater resistance to heat to the products in which it is found);
- Preservative properties.
Finally, carnauba wax is hypoallergenic. In fact, so far there have been no reports of any allergic reactions due to the intake or use of carnauba wax. Furthermore, there are no studies that demonstrate a "possible toxicity or dangerousness of use in man".
Uses
As reiterated several times throughout the article, by virtue of its numerous and interesting properties, carnauba wax is used in various fields, such as cosmetics, food or pharmaceuticals.
Food uses
In the "food industry, carnauba wax (identified by the initials E903) is used as a coating agent in confectionery products (eg. Tic Tac®), small coated baked goods, snacks (for example in M&M" s®), nuts, coffee beans and certain supplements.
Cosmetics
In the cosmetic industry, carnauba wax is mainly used for the production of lipsticks, for its thickening and polishing effect. It is also used in the production of creams, lip balms, mascara, cream eyeshadows, deodorants, foundations, mascara and eyeliner Finally, carnauba wax is also added in the production of solid soaps.
See also: carnauba wax in cosmetics
Pharmaceutical uses
In the pharmaceutical industry, carnauba wax is used as a coating agent for tablets. Its presence in the formulation, in fact, helps protect the active ingredients from humidity and oxidation, masking any unpleasant odors and tastes, and improving the appearance. aesthetic of the tablet.
Other uses
Carnauba wax is also used in the restoration of old pipes and floors, on which it forms a rigid film that gives shine and resists wear for a long time, protecting from dirt and water.
Likewise, it is used in the manufacture of candles and polishing waxes for cars, surfboards or shoes, in some paper coatings and in the manufacture of pencils and crayons.
